JERUSALEM (JTA) — Only one Israeli in Nepal has yet to make contact since the deadly earthquake in Nepal.
The death toll in last Saturday’s temblor was over 5,000 as of Wednesday morning.
At least five helicopters took off on Wednesday to locate and rescue the remaining 40 Israelis who were hiking in the mountains at the time of Saturday’s earthquake and resulting avalanches. Ten were rescued on Wednesday morning in Langtang National Park on the border with Tibet.
Meanwhile, the Israeli field hospital, which can care for about 200 people a day, opened on Wednesday morning and began treating local residents. The Israel Defense Forces personnel will remain in Nepal for about two weeks and then assess whether a longer stay is required.
Some 70 Israelis opted to remain in Kathmandu, many to assist in recovery efforts, according to reports. Israel’s Foreign Ministry has warned that it will not arrange any more evacuation flights.
