육로 수색팀, 사고 현장 둔체까지 도착…“네팔군 협조에 드론 수색”

The specialized government joint rapid response team, embarking on ground search operations, arrived at the accident site in Nepal after a delayed communication with nine Korean citizens. Despite no notable successes such as finding survivors, the team received active cooperation from the Nepalese authorities, overcoming their previous hesitation in sending foreign search and rescue teams.

A spokesperson for the government team revealed that on the 31st (local time), the ground search team reached the remote Bauntse area, approximately 1.8 kilometers away from the accident site, and commenced their search activities. They also utilized drones for the search process. Initially, the ground search team aimed to station near the Aputreysali-1 hydropower station construction site, 1.8 kilometers from the accident site, but managed to approach even deeper into the Bauntse region.

The team credited Nepal's authorities for their cooperative attitude, noting that they have received ongoing consultations from the military for their plan to proceed with the ground search the following day. The government team emphasized their commitment to assisting in the search for the missing Korean nationals, stating that their primary goal is to reach the survivors as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, newly appointed Nepalese Ambassador Park Jae-kyung arrived in Nepal on the same day, received an update on the disaster situation, and met with the families of the missing Korean citizens. Ambassador Park expressed his heavy heart and pledged to provide the best possible assistance to the search efforts.