[Reportage] Team searching for missing Koreans ready to ‘go on foot’ to find them

At 10:30 am on Monday, a Korean search-and-rescue team working in Nepal's Rasuwa District came to a stop on a mountainside after 30 minutes of navigating a challenging gravel road. Cho Hyeon-mun, a member of the team dispatched by the Korean government, explained that the road was getting rugged and difficult to navigate. The search for Korean nationals missing in floods was already difficult due to the rugged terrain, thick clouds, and mud on the road.

Despite this, Cho and nine team members set out for the village of Ramche, where they would begin a search by land. The team arrived at the Upper Trishuli 1 hydroelectric plant construction site, where nine employees from two Korean companies were presumed to be missing. They set up camp in northern Ramche, about 1.8 kilometers from the accident site.

The team began their search on foot or with the help of drones. The decision to conduct a land search was made due to the limitations of using helicopters, which are subject to stricter regulations in Nepal. The team faced numerous hazards, including damaged roads and potential flooding. The road they took became impassable after 90 minutes, requiring them to find a detour through rocks and mud.

Cho indicated that if vehicle travel to the target location becomes impossible, his team would go on foot. In Bidur, the capital of Nuwakot District, Nepali military helicopters repeatedly took off and landed to search for the missing and recover the dead. Families of the missing gathered at the base, anxiously scanning the list of those unaccounted for and deceased.

Pasang Phurserba, whose brother was among the missing, expressed his fear upon seeing his brother's name was still unlisted. The list of missing persons numbered 2,474. Despite the persistent severe weather conditions and other factors, the Nepali government eventually allowed two Korean helicopters to participate in the search and rescue efforts.