News live: number of Australians missing in Nepal floods rises; Penny Wong announces $3m additional aid for disaster

Number of Australians missing in Nepal rises to 43The total number of Australians missing in the deadly Nepal floods is now 43.The department of foreign affairs has received more than 650 calls in relation to the disaster.Nepali and Chinese authorities confirmed an updated death toll of at least 810 on Sunday.More than 3,000 people are believed missing after flash floods triggered by a massive glacier collapse in the Himalayas on Wednesday engulfed Gyirong port on the Nepal-China border.Key events1m agoAustralian convicted in Russia after fighting for Ukraine gives first interview41m agoAustralia to send $3m in additional aid to Nepal41m agoNumber of Australians missing in Nepal rises to 4344m agoGood morningAustralian convicted in Russia after fighting for Ukraine gives first interviewOscar Jenkins, an Australian man who was captured and sentenced to 13 years in a Russian jail after fighting for Ukraine military, has given his first interview after his conviction.Jenkins joined Ukraine’s fighters in 2024. He was interviewed by another Australian man, Mark Lowe, who has been living in Russia for four years, the ABC reports.Jenkins told the ABC he wanted to help Ukraine and “be a soldier”: double quotation markIt felt like the right thing to do; if a country invades another country, why? … I’m a young guy. It’s not that my life doesn’t mean anything to me, but sacrifices might need to be made. That’s still the attitude I have. … People didn’t like what Russia was doing; they felt Russia was being a bully, and all that while I was prepping for my own position as a machine gunner. Jenkins was ultimately captured and sentenced last May for his participation as a “mercenary in an armed conflict”. His conviction has been called a “sham trial” by Australian foreign minister Penny Wong.Wong said that Jenkins was a prisoner of war, so he must be given “the protections afforded to him”. double quotation markRussia is obligated to treat him in accordance with international humanitarian law, including humane treatment. Jenkins said in the interview he has written to Russian authorities saying he would be “happy to fight as a soldier for Russia” as well.Oscar Jenkins in Ukraine. Photograph: Obtained via ‘Sladkov+’ Telegram Account/AAPAustralian personnel still unable to access Nepal flood zoneAustralian personnel has not been able to get access to the Nepal flood zone yet, the assistant minister for immigration, Matt Thistlethwaite, confirmed.Speaking on ABC’s Radio National, Thistlethwaite said roads remained cut off in the disaster and most of the telecommunication infrastructure was down. double quotation markThere has been about eight power stations that have been affected as well, so it’s very difficult to get into the area. He said the Australian government had “offered support” to the Chinese government, with six Australians missing on the Chinese side of the border. double quotation markThey’ve said at this stage they don’t require that support. A man walks through the sludge in the aftermath of flash floods at Trishuli in Nepal’s Nuwakot district on 30 August. Photograph: AFP/Getty ImagesAustralia to send $3m in additional aid to NepalThe government will send $3m in additional aid to Nepal, the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has announced, bringing the total package to $8m.Of this additional aid, the Australian defence force will coordinate $2m worth of hygiene kits, solar lighting and other emergency supplies following a request from Nepal’s government. double quotation markThe Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will transport the first of these supplies from Queensland in the coming days. In addition, the government will donate $1m to the Emergency Action Alliance appeal, which has reached $1.4m in donations from the public.There is now 14 Australian personnel on the ground in Kathmandu – including crisis response, consular officers and Australian federal police – to assist staff in the humanitarian disaster. Two more will be deployed this week.Damaged buildings and houses covered in mud next to the Likhu River following deadly flash floods and mudslides, in Devighat, Nuwakot district, Nepal. Photograph: Athit Perawongmetha/ReutersNumber of Australians missing in Nepal rises to 43The total number of Australians missing in the deadly Nepal floods is now 43.The department of foreign affairs has received more than 650 calls in relation to the disaster.Nepali and Chinese authorities confirmed an updated death toll of at least 810 on Sunday.More than 3,000 people are believed missing after flash floods triggered by a massive glacier collapse in the Himalayas on Wednesday engulfed Gyirong port on the Nepal-China border.Good morningHello and welcome to Guardian Australia’s live coverage.The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has confirmed Australia will send an additional $3m in aid to Nepal after $5m was announced last week.The number of Australians missing in the disaster is now 42, as loved ones await information in the flooding disaster.Let’s begin.