On August 27, nine of the ten South Koreans stranded due to severe flooding in the Rasuwagadhi area of Nepal were evacuated to safety via military helicopter. Search efforts continue for the remaining South Korean, whose whereabouts are currently unknown.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the nine members of Doosan Enerbility were transported to a safe area by Nepalese military helicopters in four trips. They are expected to move to Kathmandu on August 28 and are reported to be in stable health.
The remaining individual, a site manager from Doosan Enerbility, has chosen to stay on-site until all local staff are rescued. A consular officer and an administrative staff member from the South Korean embassy in Nepal are also remaining with him.
While the area is relatively elevated and not directly affected by the flooding, the Ministry explained that road damage caused by the flood has made helicopter transport the only option for evacuation.
However, the whereabouts of the nine South Koreans from Doosan Enerbility and Korea Southeast Power, who have lost contact, remain unconfirmed. They are believed to have been in an area that suffered direct flood damage, with reports indicating that accommodations have been destroyed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that search operations by the Nepalese military and police are ongoing, but the rugged mountainous terrain makes nighttime searches challenging.
The South Korean government has dispatched a joint rapid response team consisting of 11 personnel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Police Agency, and the Fire Agency, which is expected to arrive in Kathmandu later that night.
Foreign Minister Park Jin spoke with Nepalese Foreign Minister Bishwa Nath Poudel, requesting that the Nepalese government pay special attention and provide support for the swift and safe search and rescue of South Korean nationals.
The government is also considering sending an overseas emergency relief team. According to the Ministry, this team is typically dispatched for humanitarian assistance rather than for the rescue of specific nationals, but they may participate in the search and rescue of South Koreans during their operations.
So far, no reports of injuries among South Korean tourists have been received. A Ministry official stated, "Fortunately, there were no South Koreans among the missing tourists reported by the Nepal Tourism Board today."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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