Govt Rapid Response Team in Nepal Unable to Deploy Helicopters Directly... "Efforts Continue to Search for 9 Missing"

The government's rapid response team has stated that it will pour all its efforts into local search operations to find the nine South Koreans who have lost contact due to the massive floods in Nepal.

Im Sang-woo, head of the joint government rapid response team, stated during a local media briefing on the 28th (local time) regarding the nine South Koreans missing from the large-scale floods in Nepal on the 26th, "We plan to concentrate all efforts to ensure that search operations for them are carried out swiftly tomorrow."

Head Im said, "The search for the nine individuals who have lost contact was conducted by mobilizing assets such as the Nepalese military, but unfortunately, search operations must continue."

According to the rapid response team, the South Korean side was unable to directly dispatch helicopters today.

The government, Doosan Enerbility, and Korea South-East Power chartered a total of six helicopters, but operations were blocked by the control of the Nepalese military authorities.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "We were unable to launch the helicopters due to fickle weather, the possibility of additional damage, and guidelines from local military authorities."

The accident site where the floods occurred is in a state where overland access is impossible as nearby roads have been washed away.

The official added that, practically speaking, there is no way to access the area other than by helicopter.

Accordingly, the rapid response team stated that it plans to make efforts to deploy helicopters on the 29th as well.

In addition, it was understood that Nepalese military authorities conducted searches using helicopters, including areas where South Koreans are presumed to be missing, but no unusual signs were found.

An official from the rapid response team said, "We previously handed over charts and maps marked with coordinates where the South Korean missing individuals are presumed to have been at the time of the floods to the Nepalese authorities."

The nine missing individuals consist of six employees from Doosan Enerbility and three employees from Korea South-East Power.

This is based on the premise that because they were performing hydropower plant construction work locally at the time of the floods, their movements can be estimated according to their respective duties.

Head Im held consecutive meetings with high-ranking officials from the Nepalese military authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as key figures related to South Korea, on this day.

The Nepalese side also listened attentively to the rapid response team's request for search support and responded that they would take appropriate measures.

It has not yet been decided whether the 10 rescued South Koreans who were transported to a safe area on this day will move to Kathmandu or return home.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said, "Given that these individuals have come through an extreme situation, regaining stability is of the utmost importance," and added, "We also need to check whether they have recovered enough to board a plane."

The affiliated companies are supporting the rescued individuals, and the response team stated that it is not aware of their return plans.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.