Korean Relief Team Attempts Aerial Search Using Nepalese Military Helicopters, Returns Due to Bad Weather

The Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) dispatched by the South Korean government attempted an aerial search using helicopters in the area where nine South Koreans went missing due to massive floods in Nepal, but had to turn back about 30 minutes later due to adverse weather.

An official from the relief team explained via a video link from the base camp in Battar, Nuwakot District, in the north-central Bagmati Province of Nepal on the afternoon of the 3rd (local time), "Today, we held a meeting with the commander of the Nepalese military in the Battar area and were provided with two helicopters."

The relief team immediately attempted a search, but had to turn back as the weather conditions deteriorated with rain and wind.

The KDRT official said, "We tried to enter the search area (by helicopter), but visibility was less than 1 meter, so we turned around," adding, "We plan to deploy two helicopters to search the same area again tomorrow, and after that, we will discuss long-term search plans with the Nepalese authorities."

Meanwhile, the military commander of the Battar area reportedly strongly protested to the relief team over South Korea re-searching Ramche in the Rasuwa District.

Ramche is located about 2 kilometers away from the camp where the missing South Koreans stayed.

The Battar military commander reportedly stated, "The Nepalese military has conducted precise searches five to six times, so why doesn't South Korea trust us?" and indicated that "reckless actions in dangerous operational zones will not be permitted."

After arriving in Kathmandu on the 3rd (local time), the KDRT advanced its schedule by a day and immediately set up a base camp in Battar.

The six rescue workers, alongside two Nepalese soldiers, conducted an overland search the previous day along the section between Ramche and Dunche, but found no notable clues regarding the whereabouts of the missing South Koreans.

The KDRT is also holding discussions with Nepalese authorities to analyze mobile phone signals, but no progress has been made yet.

Due to the massive floods, the death toll confirmed so far in Nepal and China's Tibet Autonomous Region has reached 1,273, with 4,757 people reported missing.

(Photo provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.