Doosan Enerbility Helicopter Searches Office, Upper Dam; All Means Mobilized

Helicopter search operations have resumed to find the nine missing employees from Doosan Enerbility and Korea South-East Power following severe flooding in Nepal.

Doosan Enerbility announced today (the 31st) that one of the two helicopters it secured took off for the search operation at 11:03 a.m. local time (2:18 p.m. KST).

Permission for the remaining helicopter has not yet been granted.

This is the first time a helicopter prepared by Doosan Enerbility since the 27th has successfully operated.

On the 29th, flight authorization was granted, but the helicopters could not take off due to bad weather in the morning and a ban on foreign helicopter operations by Nepali authorities in the afternoon.

No authorization was issued on the 30th.

Combining all six helicopters secured by the South Korean side, this marks the first time in two days since the 29th that a flight has taken place.

At that time, a South Korean government-chartered helicopter took off twice to conduct search activities.

The Doosan Enerbility helicopter flew over the office building and the upper weir dam where the missing South Koreans were located, visually inspecting the site and filming footage for post-analysis.

Previously, the families of missing employee Kim pointed out that while Kim worked at an office near the weir dam about 10 kilometers away from the office building and other locations where missing South Koreans were stationed, searches for that specific area had not been properly conducted.

After completing about an hour of searching, the Doosan Enerbility helicopter returned near Kathmandu to refuel and is attempting a re-takeoff.

It was reported that a Nepali safety manager was onboard the Doosan Enerbility helicopter, with no South Korean nationals accompanying the flight.

All available measures, including drone-utilized searches, are being pursued.

It was also reported that one South Korean employee from Doosan Enerbility boarded a government joint rapid response team helicopter that subsequently sortied for the search.

Korea South-East Power also applied for flight permits for one chartered helicopter and drones today, but approval news has not yet been heard.

Having last conducted a search of the affected area once on the 28th with approval from the Nepalese military authorities, Korea South-East Power has been unable to operate helicopters since.

An official from Korea South-East Power stated that because helicopters cannot be freely deployed, they are exploring all possible methods, including drone searches.

Amid the resumption of search operations, companies are reinforcing their local response teams under the command of top management.

At Doosan Enerbility, Doosan Group Chairman Park Jeong-won and Doosan Group Vice Chairman and Doosan Enerbility CEO Park Ji-won are directly overseeing the on-site situation.

The two reportedly met with the rescued employees to listen to accounts of the situation at the time and offer words of comfort.

Doosan Enerbility also additionally dispatched two individuals familiar with local conditions today.

Combining the six employees already on-site and the eight members of the first dispatch team, the on-site response team now numbers 16.

The Doosan Enerbility site manager, who was rescued from the flood scene, stated during a local briefing on the 30th (local time), "I know the site conditions better than anyone else. I will do my utmost to support the search," expressing his intention to remain.

The manager had previously chosen to voluntarily stay in the flood-affected area on the 27th, stating he would remain until all local employees had moved to safe locations.

Korea South-East Power additionally dispatched a second response team of nine members, including Acting President Cho Young-hyuk, the previous day.

An official from Korea South-East Power said, "The majority of the response team members have local work experience," adding, "Under the command of the acting president, they will support the local corporation and the families of the missing, and cooperate with relevant organizations for search and rescue efforts."

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