9 Koreans missing after catastrophic flooding in Nepal

A catastrophic flood in Nepal has left nine Koreans missing after they could not be reached during the emergency. Ten other employees of a Korean hydropower company were stranded at the site and awaiting rescue. The Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the safety of the consul dispatched to the area and those of about 200 foreign employees, including Nepalese nationals.

The ministry initially reported eight Koreans missing, but later confirmed an additional person was unaccounted for. Korea plans to send a rapid response team to Nepal on Thursday to assist with search and rescue efforts. President Lee Jae Myung ordered prioritizing the lives and safety of Korean citizens, mobilizing all available resources for the missing, and working closely with the Nepalese government and local authorities.

The flash floods were initially suspected to be caused by landslides triggered by an earthquake, but later analysis suggested that a glacial collapse was the likely cause.