00:00Our thoughts and condolences with those who have lost loved ones and those whose
00:05loved ones are missing and to all affected by this disaster. I wanted to
00:11give an update which confirms what the Prime Minister has said. We, to date,
00:18understand that at least 34 Australians are amongst those missing. We
00:24understand these Australians are part of separate pilgrimage and tour groups. I
00:29don't, I'm not in a position to provide any further details about them at this
00:34stage. The government's priority is to confirm the whereabouts and welfare of
00:40these Australians and DFAT officials in Nepal and also China are seeking to do
00:49that. Obviously the situation is a difficult one. I've spoken this morning
00:55to the Ambassador for Australia to Nepal, Simon Ernst, and I have also spoken to
01:02Scott Dewar, our Ambassador in Beijing. I've conveyed to them our support, my
01:08request that they do everything they are able to to ascertain the whereabouts and
01:13warfare of any Australians.
