Families descend on Nepal in search of missing tourists

Seoul, September 3 - The South Korean government is ramping up its search for nine South Korean nationals missing after devastating floods and landslides in Nepal, while also expanding its humanitarian aid to the disaster-stricken nation, the foreign ministry announced on Thursday. A 44-member Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) has arrived in Kathmandu and is gearing up to launch search-and-rescue operations in the affected areas following the floods that occurred on August 26.

The rapid response team sent last week has been integrated into the KDRT, operating as a unified force. Their leader, Lee Kyoo-ho, plans to meet with the military commander in the Batar region to coordinate efforts. The KDRT has established a base camp in Batar, a strategic location on the path to Rasuwa, the district where the missing individuals were working at the Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower plant when the disaster struck.

Six of the missing are employees of Doosan Enerbility Co., while three work for Korea South-East Power Co. Rescue workers have been conducting searches using drones, search dogs, and advanced equipment in Ramche and Dhunche, two kilometers from the hydropower plant and main camp site where some missing people are believed to have been.

Despite the extensive search, no significant clues have been discovered yet. The search will now extend to the main camp, weir, and mountain slopes that could have served as escape routes. The KDRT is also expanding its humanitarian efforts, coordinating with Nepalese authorities. They have been provided with DNA testing equipment and 38,000 blankets by the South Korean government, which has pledged US$1 million in humanitarian aid to Nepal through international organizations.

So far, over 1,000 people have lost their lives and nearly 4,500 remain missing due to the disaster.