Gov't team begins ground search for 9 missing Koreans in Nepal floods
An undated handout photo of rescue workers taking part in an operation near the tunnel of the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project, following deadly flash floods and mudslides, in Rasuwa, Nepal, Aug. 30. Reuters-Yonhap
A government joint rapid response team on Monday began a ground search for nine South Koreans missing in massive floods in Nepal, while continuing to seek permission from Nepali authorities to operate helicopters, Seoul's foreign ministry said.
The team plans to make its way to Ramche, about 1-2 kilometers from the site where the nine South Koreans went missing, and camp there overnight, according to the ministry.
The team includes officials from the ministry, police and fire authorities, and was dispatched to Nepal last week to support rescue efforts.
The ground search began after the team failed to secure helicopter clearance due to bad weather and a decision by Nepalese authorities to bar foreign helicopters from operating.
"As we did not receive helicopter clearance Sunday, some team members left by road and moved as close as possible to the accident site," a ministry official said. "After taking the overall situation at the site into consideration, we determined that a ground search would be possible."
The team also plans to conduct a drone search in the area, subject to approval from local authorities, he added.
Ramche is believed to be a key route to the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project, which was under construction by Doosan Enerbility Co. and Korea South-East Power Co.
The nine — six Doosan employees and three Korea South-East Power employees — had been working at the hydroelectric power plant construction site in the Rasuwa district when massive floods and landslides struck the region last Wednesday.
The response team also plans to conduct an aerial search by helicopter.
"The situation regarding permission to operate helicopters remains challenging, but we are making all necessary preparations," the official said.
The government has also continued to urge Nepali authorities to maintain their search efforts. Officials contacted the chief of the Nepal Police and representatives of the Nepal Army the previous day.
The team is also interviewing Nepali survivors to determine the movements of the missing South Koreans, the ministry said.
The floods have killed more than 800 people and left around 3,000 others missing, according to foreign media reports.