Recent University of Minnesota medical fellowship graduate, family missing after Nepal flooding
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The University of Minnesota says a recent graduate of one of its medical fellowship programs is among the thousands of people missing after last month’s flash flooding in Nepal and Tibet.
The university’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery said Tuesday that Dr. Ishan Patel and his wife, Akanksha Patel, were on a pilgrimage after he graduated from the adult reconstructive surgery fellowship.
The U said they were joined by his mother, Shilpa Patel, and his father-in-law, Umeshkumar Patel, when the flooding occurred on Aug. 26.
“According to available information, Dr. Patel and his family were likely at their hotel when catastrophic flooding occurred. The hotel was swept away by the floodwaters, and Dr. Patel and his family are currently declared missing,” the university reported.
“This situation continues to evolve, and recovery efforts in the region are ongoing. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Dr. Patel, his family, and all those affected by this tragedy,” the university’s statement said.
The Patels are dual U.S.-Canadian citizens, and their parents are from Canada. Relatives told the CBC that the long-planned pilgrimage was to mark the start of Dr. Patel’s new career — and that family members have traveled to Nepal to help search for their loved ones.
The Associated Press reported earlier this week that the flooding killed more than 1,300 people — with about 5,000 still unaccounted for. Nepal observed a day of mourning on Monday, as search efforts continue.
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