(5th LD) 9 of 10 isolated S. Koreans moved to safety after devastating Nepal floods

Nine out of ten South Korean workers isolated due to devastating Nepal floods were evacuated to safety on Thursday, according to Seoul's foreign ministry. The remaining individual, a Doosan site manager, remained at the construction site in Rasuwa district, Nepal, where about 200 foreign employees were working on a hydropower plant.

All ten evacuees are reported to be in good health and are expected to travel to Kathmandu the following day. Meanwhile, nine other South Koreans, including six Doosan employees and three from Korea South-East Power Co., remain unaccounted for after the floods and mudslides struck the area on Wednesday. The exact locations of the missing individuals are unclear, as many of their accommodations were destroyed by the disaster.

A nine-member foreign ministry, police, and fire authorities response team departed for Nepal, with the goal of searching for and rescuing the South Koreans. The team will collaborate with embassy staff and Nepalese authorities to undertake this crucial mission. Despite the challenges posed by the widespread damage and challenging terrain, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun indicated that the government may deploy a larger-scale rescue team if required.