Families of South Koreans missing in Nepal floods urge urgent helicopter access

Families of nine South Korean workers missing in Nepal are urgently appealing for helicopter access to aid search operations, expressing deep concern over the critical time being lost.

The workers, employed by Doosan Enerbility and Korea South-East Power, were involved in a major hydropower project when the glacier-triggered flash flood occurred on Wednesday. More than 48 hours after the disaster, relatives are frustrated by what they describe as a lack of visible progress, despite official assurances.

"Our only demand is to get helicopters in the air as soon as possible," relatives of Doosan Enerbility employees stated, according to the company and Yonhap News Agency. They also called for prompt sharing of search footage and updates, emphasizing their need for more information about the missing workers' whereabouts and the circumstances of the flood.

South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung has ordered an all-out response to the disaster. A rapid response team from South Korea arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday night but was still awaiting flight clearance. Nepal's military has restricted private helicopter operations over concerns of further flooding, and Nepal's Foreign Ministry indicated it was not yet planning to accept foreign rescue teams, stating that domestic efforts were sufficient.

Doosan Enerbility and Korea South-East Power have pledged to make every possible effort to locate their employees and assess the site conditions, mobilizing all available capabilities to ensure their safe return. The nine missing individuals include six from Doosan Enerbility and three from Korea South-East Power.

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Our only demand is to get helicopters in the air as soon as possible.