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

Seoul, September 2 - A 44-member South Korean disaster relief team landed in Nepal on Wednesday to assist in the urgent search for nine South Koreans and others missing after the region's intense floods and landslides, as per the foreign ministry. The Korea Disaster Relief Team, made up of representatives from the Korean government, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and fire authorities, flew in on an Air Force KC-330 Cygnus aircraft.

They aim to collaborate with Nepali authorities and the Nepalese government's emergency response team on search and rescue efforts over the following ten days, though the mission could be extended based on site conditions.

The team arrives armed with five rescue dogs and advanced equipment such as high-resolution drones, sound detection devices, video cameras, and thermal imaging sensors. The nine South Koreans went missing on August 26 while working at the Upper Trishuli-1 (UT-1) hydropower plant in Nepal's Rasuwa district. Among the victims were six employees from Doosan Enerbility Co. and three from Korea South-East Power Co.

Meanwhile, a special emergency response team, alongside corporate teams, has deployed helicopters, drones, rescue dogs, and other resources to scour the expansive, challenging terrain. They have reached Dhunche, one of the worst-hit areas, to search the vicinity of the UT-1 hydropower plant's upper dam. The team will continue joint helicopter, drone, and ground searches with the Nepalese military today.

The foreign ministry has also requested DNA testing equipment from Nepal's government, and South Korea plans to send approximately 38,000 blankets as part of relief materials. Doosan Enerbility and Korea South-East Power are conducting helicopter searches and utilizing high-performance drones, while considering additional personnel to bolster operations. As of Tuesday, over 1,000 fatalities and nearly 4,500 people remain missing following the disaster, according to international reports.