(2nd LD) 8 S. Koreans missing, 10 stranded in flood in Nepal

Seoul's foreign ministry reported on August 26 that eight South Koreans were missing and ten others were stranded due to a massive flood in Nepal. The eight missing individuals worked for Korea South-East Power Co. and Doosan Enerbility Co., who were involved in constructing a hydropower plant in Nepal's Rasuwa district. Additionally, ten South Koreans linked to Doosan Enerbility were stranded in the area and awaiting rescue.

The Nepalese government has dispatched a helicopter to aid in their evacuation. The South Korean Embassy in Nepal alerted the Nepalese government and demanded an urgent search and rescue operation following the revelation of the eight missing South Koreans. President Lee Jae Myung subsequently ordered authorities to utilize all available resources for an immediate search and rescue mission, as stated by senior presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung.

The catastrophic flash floods struck near the Nepal-Tibet border, resulting in 19 deaths, hundreds missing, and extensive damage to villages and infrastructure, according to foreign media accounts. Among the 384 tourists reported missing, 291 were foreigners, and 105 were Indian nationals.