Nepal flood: Korean rescue team faces difficulties in searching for 9 missing citizens

A Korean rapid response team is encountering significant obstacles in its search for nine missing Korean nationals following devastating floods in Nepal. Helicopter operations on August 28, involving one military and one civilian helicopter, were unable to locate the individuals, prompting a commitment to intensify search efforts on August 29.

Im Sang-woo, head of the government-led rapid response team, stated during a press briefing in Kathmandu that all efforts would be concentrated on a swift search. He acknowledged the ongoing challenges, noting that the situation requires continued search operations. The team had previously arranged for six helicopters, but their deployment was reportedly blocked by Nepalese military authorities, who are currently controlling all helicopter operations and rescue missions in the region.

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We will concentrate all efforts to ensure the search operation for these nine individuals proceeds swiftly on the 29th.

The response team believes they can pinpoint the missing Koreans' location more precisely than other missing persons due to their work on a hydropower plant construction project at the time of the floods. This allows for an estimated movement based on their assigned tasks. The team has shared detailed maps and coordinates with Nepalese authorities, indicating the suspected location of the missing individuals.

Access to the flood-affected area remains a critical issue, as the surrounding roads have been washed away, making land-based entry impossible. Consequently, helicopters are the only viable means of reaching the site. The team is continuing to work towards securing helicopter availability for further search operations on August 29.

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However, unfortunately, the search operation must continue.