Intensive search under way for 9 S. Koreans missing in Nepal floods

Seoul, September 2 - A South Korean disaster relief team has arrived in Nepal to assist in the search for nine South Koreans and other victims missing in recent floods and landslides, the foreign ministry announced. The 44-member Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT), consisting of officials from the ministry, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and fire authorities, flew into Kathmandu on Wednesday aboard an Air Force KC-330 Cygnus multirole tanker transport aircraft.

The team intends to collaborate with Nepali authorities and their own emergency response unit to conduct search-and-rescue operations, with a planned duration of approximately 10 days, though this may be extended based on site conditions. The KDRT has brought along five rescue dogs and advanced equipment such as high-resolution drones, sound detection devices, video recording tools, and thermal imaging detectors.

The nine South Koreans went missing on August 26 after floods struck the Upper Trishuli-1 (UT-1) hydropower plant construction site in Nepal's Rasuwa district. Six of them were employees of Doosan Enerbility Co., while the remaining three worked for Korea South-East Power Co. The emergency response team, alongside corporate teams, has been deploying helicopters, drones, search dogs, and other resources to scour the extensive search area, which is compounded by rugged terrain and debris.

Rescue workers have already reached Dhunche, one of the hardest-hit areas, located about 2 kilometers from the UT-1 hydropower plant's weir. The response team will remain in Dhunche to continue joint helicopter, drone, and ground searches with the Nepalese military today. Moreover, they are consulting with Nepalese authorities regarding the possibility of tracking the missing persons' mobile phone locations and gathering data on the locations where the missing individuals are believed to be.

They are also speaking with Nepalese survivors and local officials to gather additional information. Both Doosan Enerbility and Korea South-East Power have been conducting their own helicopter searches using high-performance drones. Doosan Enerbility intends to analyze video footage from their aerial searches, while Korea South-East Power is using drones and search-and-rescue dogs and may send additional personnel to support operations at the site.

As of Tuesday, the disaster had claimed over 1,000 lives and left nearly 4,500 people missing, according to foreign media reports.