King Charles III said Thursday he and Queen Camilla were “heartbroken” by the flash floods and landslides at the Nepal-Tibet border, as the UK government offered £5 million ($6.8 million) in aid.
In a personally signed message posted on the royal family’s X account, the British monarch noted “many in the United Kingdom have strong, deep and personal ties to this part of the world”.
“We send our most profound sympathy to all those who have so tragically lost their loved ones and we feel deeply for the many families awaiting anxiously the news of friends and relations,” he wrote.
“Our hearts go out also to the families of all the police and armed forces personnel who lost their lives while carrying out their courageous duty in the service of others,” Charles said.
Earlier, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Britain would “be there for Nepal in its hour of need right now”, as his government pledged £5 million and offered to send emergency responders.
“It’s a devastating picture that is emerging from what has happened in Nepal,” he told reporters, noting the money was to help with the response effort.
Nepal’s Tourism Board has said 33 people from Britain are among 517 foreigners missing following the deadly disaster.
The UK government has not confirmed the figure, saying only that “a number” of British nationals were thought to be missing.
Britain has historic close ties with Nepal, embodied by the army’s centuries-old Gurkhas brigade comprised of soldiers recruited there, which boasts a reputation for fierce fighting, loyalty and bravery.
The brigade’s association paid tribute in a social media post Thursday to “the work of our brothers and sisters in the Nepal Army and emergency services” responding to the disaster.
“As the scale of the tragedy in Nepal becomes apparent today, all of the Gurkha family stand united in support of the people affected,” the message added.
AFP
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