▲ Overland search operations for the major floods in Nepal
On the sixth day since the massive floods in Nepal, today (the 31st), the government's rapid response team is attempting to approach the accident site by land to search for the nine South Koreans with whom contact has been lost.
According to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, the joint government rapid response team has formed an overland search team consisting of nine officials from the National Fire Agency.
The overland search team plans to attempt moving to the Lamche area, located 1 to 2 kilometers away from the accident site, set up camp, and assess the situation.
The search team is reportedly planning to attempt using drones for the search if they arrive in the Lamche area before 3:00 p.m. local time.
Local authorities have restricted the permitted operating hours for drones from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Yesterday, the rapid response team also traveled by land to inspect the Batar area, located about 70 kilometers from the accident site, and reviewed the supplies and equipment necessary for overland movement.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official stated, "It is understood that they scouted out a campsite after taking the risk level into consideration following yesterday's preliminary inspection."
This morning, the overland search team gathered at the South Korean Embassy in Nepal in the capital of Kathmandu, loaded supplies and equipment across three vehicles, and departed.
The response team aims to conduct helicopter searches in parallel.
Areas pointed out by the families of the missing persons as needing searches, such as the Weir Dam and Dunche regions, are targeted for helicopter searches.
However, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official noted, "The situation regarding permission for helicopter takeoff and operation is not easy," adding, "If necessary, an official from Doosan Enerbility will also be on board."
They also decided to continuously encourage search operations by Nepalese authorities.
Lim Sang-woo, head of the rapid response team, met with the chief of the Nepal Police and officials from the Nepalese Army yesterday.
In addition, they are continuing efforts to trace the movements of the missing South Koreans by interviewing Nepalese survivors.
The government is reportedly planning to narrow down the estimated locations of the South Koreans by verifying the testimonies of Nepalese individuals who escaped from the area where the South Koreans went missing.
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