Search for missing Koreans after massive floods in Nepal... Government rapid response team attempts land access

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Ji-heon and Min Seon-hee = A government rapid response team attempts to access the site via land to find nine Koreans who went missing due to the massive floods in Nepal.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 31st, the government joint rapid response team formed a land search team composed of nine members of the National Fire Agency.

The land search team plans to attempt to move to the Ramche area, 1 to 2 km away from the accident site, and camp there.

If you arrive at your destination before 3pm local time, a drone search will be attempted subject to permission from local authorities. Local authorities limit drone operation hours to 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The rapid response team visited the Batar area, about 70km away from the accident site, via land the previous day and reviewed supplies and equipment needed for land movement.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “After a preliminary visit the previous day, it is judged that a camp site was searched considering the level of risk.”

The land search team gathered at the Korean Embassy in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, this morning, loaded supplies and equipment into three vehicles, and departed.

The response team also conducted a helicopter search. Helicopter searches are targeting areas where families of missing people point out the need for search, such as Weir Dam and the Dunche area.

The rapid response team helicopter took off for the search this afternoon, local time. A helicopter previously leased by Doosan Energy took off in the morning and began searching the scene.

Nepalese authorities also continued to encourage searches. Im Sang-woo, head of the rapid response team, contacted the Nepal Police Chief and Nepal Army officials the day before.

We are also continuing to interview Nepalese survivors and confirm the movements of missing Koreans.

It is reported that the government plans to narrow down the area where Koreans are presumed to be located by verifying the testimony of Nepalese who escaped from the area where Koreans disappeared.

Meanwhile, Nepal's search and rescue authorities requested support from Korea for search and rescue personnel and equipment.

It is said that this is not a request for an emergency rescue team from the Nepalese government, but rather an inquiry into whether there are manpower and equipment for specialized work.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “The government is reviewing support measures focusing on Nepal’s request.”