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🇰🇷 South Korea /Disasters & Emergencies

Ground Search Intensifies for Nine Missing South Koreans in Nepal Flood Zone as Helicopters and Drones Await Clearance

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • South Korea is beginning a ground search near Nepal’s Rasuwa district for nine nationals who lost contact after major flooding.
  • A nine-member firefighting team plans to reach Lamche, about 1 to 2 kilometers from the site, while authorities assess risks before expanding the search.
  • Helicopter and drone operations remain dependent on Nepalese authorization and changing weather conditions, including rain, wind and the risk of further collapses.

A nine-member South Korean firefighting team is preparing to move toward the Nepal flood site where nine South Koreans lost contact, after bad weather hindered helicopter searches.

The team plans to reach Lamche, about 1 to 2 kilometers from the accident site in Rasuwa district, and spend the night there. Officials said the group will first secure a search route and assess local hazards before beginning a full ground operation.

The response team formed a ground search team made up of National Fire Agency personnel.

— South Korean Foreign Ministry officialThe official described the composition of the team being sent toward the flood site.

The joint rapid response team surveyed a possible land route on Aug. 30, entering Batar village in the Bidur area of Nuwakot. It will also continue trying to search from the air with helicopters and drones.

If Nepal grants permission for helicopter operations, the team plans to search the Dhunche area around the Weir Dam. Some of the missing South Koreans worked there, and their families have asked that the location receive priority. A Doosan Enerbility representative may join the flight if approval is secured.

The team will try to move to Lamche, 1 to 2 kilometers from the accident site, on the 31st and plans to stay there overnight.

— South Korean Foreign Ministry officialThe official outlined the team’s immediate route and overnight plan.

Nepalese authorities did not authorize private helicopter flights the previous day, citing safety and air-traffic congestion. South Korean officials said shifting winds and rain make the area dangerous and increase the risk of secondary collapses. The team is also waiting for approval to fly drones, which could operate from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time. Officials hope to use them for a detailed search if the ground team reaches Lamche before the operating window closes.

The response team also plans to interview a Nepalese survivor who was near the site to establish the missing people’s movements. Its leader, Lim Sang-woo, is seeking meetings with Nepalese army and foreign ministry officials.

The accident area is a dangerous zone where wind and rain conditions change frequently, and the risk of secondary collapses is also higher.

— South Korean Foreign Ministry officialThe official explained why helicopter operations have been difficult.
About this summary

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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