Government Dispatches Rapid Response Team as Korean Power Plant Workers Stranded or Unaccounted For in Nepal

[Anchor]

It has been confirmed that the eight South Korean nationals who lost contact and the ten stranded at the site were employees working at a local hydroelectric power plant construction site. The government has decided to dispatch a joint government rapid response team to the location. Let us connect with reporter Kim Ayeong at the newsroom.

Reporter Kim, please give us the details.

[Reporter]

Yes. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that eight South Korean employees belonging to Korea South-East Power and Doosan Enerbility, who were constructing a hydroelectric power plant in the Rasuwa region of Nepal, lost contact due to a flood that occurred locally this morning (August 26) local time.

Currently, the Nepali government has dispatched rescue teams consisting of the army and police to the affected area to conduct search and rescue operations.

Another ten South Koreans affiliated with Doosan Enerbility are isolated locally and awaiting rescue.

The Nepali government has sent a helicopter to rescue them.

Korea South-East Power is building the hydroelectric power plant in Nepal, while Doosan Enerbility is reportedly in charge of construction.

Immediately upon learning of the incident, the South Korean Embassy in Nepal notified the Nepali government of the missing contact status of the eight South Koreans, requested prompt and active search and rescue operations, and urgently dispatched a consul to the site.

The Presidential Office announced that President Lee Jae-myung received a briefing and issued an urgent directive to mobilize all available means with the highest priority given to the lives and safety of our citizens, making every possible effort to search for and rescue the missing persons.

President Lee requested close cooperation with the Nepali government and local authorities, thorough support for the families of the missing persons, the safety assurance of our citizens staying on site, and the utmost effort to prevent additional damage.

The government has established a Countermeasure Headquarters for the Protection of Overseas Koreans headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and plans to dispatch a joint government rapid response team consisting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Fire Agency, and the Korean National Police Agency to the site in the shortest possible time.

Doosan Enerbility also stated that it has formed a task force and plans to urgently dispatch it to the site tomorrow morning.

Reuters reported a short while ago that 384 travelers, including 291 foreigners, are missing due to floods in Nepal.

[Video Editing: Jeon Min-gyu]
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.