KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 — The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) is ready to support humanitarian missions to Nepal that is battling massive flash floods, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said today.

“MAF can support humanitarian missions, if the government decides to do so, and we are ready to contribute our expertise and capabilities,” Mohamed Khaled told reporters after launching the National Day celebrations at the Defence Ministry today.

However, he told reporters to refer to the Foreign Ministry for updates on the missing Malaysian tourists. 

An earthquake triggered severe flash floods in a border area between Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday, killing nearly 157 people in the Himalayan nation. 

Hundreds of foreign tourists are also missing with damaged communications and infrastructures hampering rescue efforts. 

More than 50 Malaysian travellers in Nepal are still unreachable after the incident, Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu’s charge d’affaires Mohd Firdaus Azman told Bernama last night.