South Korea dispatches rapid response team to Nepal after flood, landslide

South Korea has dispatched an 11-member government joint rapid response team to Nepal to assist in the search and rescue of its citizens following devastating floods and landslides. The team, comprising officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Fire Agency, and the National Police Agency, departed from Incheon International Airport on August 27.

Led by Lim Sang-woo, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' director for overseas citizens protection and consular affairs, the team's mission is to support the search and rescue efforts for South Koreans missing in the disaster. The group is expected to travel via Hong Kong before arriving in Kathmandu, Nepal's capital. The disaster struck Nepal's central and northern Himalayan region, causing landslides and flash floods that have claimed at least 160 lives and left hundreds missing.

Nine South Koreans, who were working at a hydropower plant construction site operated by Korea South-East Power Co. and Doosan Enerbility, have lost contact. Another group of ten South Koreans were reported to be isolated but safe. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul stated that the ten individuals were evacuated and are awaiting rescue, confirming their safety with the dispatched consul. Minister Cho is scheduled to speak with his Nepalese counterpart to request cooperation.

The Nepalese Ministry of Tourism reported 403 tourists missing, including 341 foreigners, and 28 police officers are also unaccounted for. China reported 265 missing in Tibet. The floods and landslides have destroyed villages and at least 19 bridges, with approximately 40 kilometers of roads washed away. The disaster's cause was initially attributed to a 4.4-magnitude earthquake but was later reclassified by the U.S. Geological Survey as a 5.2-magnitude glacial lake outburst flood. Climate experts suggest that a large avalanche from a melting Himalayan glacier may have blocked a river, leading to the catastrophic release of water.

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Doosan Enerbility's 10 South Korean nationals are awaiting rescue after evacuating with about 200 foreign and Nepalese employees, and I have confirmed they are safe with our dispatched consul.