The family of the missing Belgian-Latvian woman, Julija Jakovicka, aged 47, is urgently seeking information about what happened to her during the devastating mudslides on the border between Nepal and Tibet. Julija had lived in Ghent for many years and was on a group tour at the time of the natural disaster. She is one of three Belgians reported missing.
Foreign News
Julija still missing following the mudslides in Nepal
Published:
Julija Jakovicka (47), a Belgian-Latvian national, was on a group tour to Tibet and Nepal with 32 other people when disaster struck. In the border region, a tidal wave of mud, water and debris swept everything away. Since then, there has been no trace of the group of travellers.
“It is unclear exactly where Julija and her travelling companions were when the disaster struck, what happened to the buses, and whether or not the group had reached or crossed the border with Nepal,” say Julija’s family.
‘We are now trying to find out what information is missing. That is why we are appealing to anyone who knows Julija, who may have information about her or her travelling companions, or about the situation at the border, to contact us.’
Lived in Ghent for many years
The family wants to put a face to the name Julija and hopes to reach as many people as possible with her story.
‘Julija was born in Latvia on 16 October 1978, but she also holds Belgian nationality. She spent a significant part of her life in Ghent (East Flanders). She now lives in Frankfurt, Germany, where she works at the European Central Bank (ECB).’
‘Nevertheless, Julija still has strong ties with Flanders and Belgium. Her two sons, aged 16 and 19, still visit their grandmother in Flanders regularly. The eldest son is currently studying in Rotterdam.’
‘All we know is that Julija was travelling as part of a group tour organised by the Latvian travel agency Yantra.lv. According to our information, the group consisted of 33 people, mainly travellers from Latvia, along with some from Estonia and Lithuania.’
‘On 25 August, the group was staying at the Yuntian Intercontinental Hotel in Nagchu, Tibet. On 26 August, the day of the natural disaster, they left the hotel by coach at around 9 am local time, heading for the border with Nepal. Since then, there has been no sign of life from any of the 33 travellers.’
Any information is helpful
The family is particularly hoping to reach people who were in the area themselves on 26 August or who, through local, professional or personal contacts, have access to information that the family does not yet have.
"In particular, information may be important from travellers or emergency services personnel who were in the border area that day, people who saw the buses or members of the Yantra. lv group, travellers who used the same route or border crossing, people who took photographs or video footage in the area, people with contacts at local travel organisations, guides, emergency services, hospitals or authorities in Tibet, China or Nepal... “
‘Even information that seems unimportant at first glance can help to piece together the group’s final movements. Every photo, video, eyewitness account or local contact could potentially help to fill in a piece of the puzzle. Her two sons and the whole family are waiting in great uncertainty for news of their mum.’
Do you have any information, images or contacts that might help? If so, please contact the family directly via julijamissing@gmail.com.
The family asks people not to share unconfirmed information publicly on social media. Please pass on any tips directly, so that the information can be verified and, if relevant, passed on immediately to the relevant authorities. Every tip could be important.