Key facts
- Nine South Koreans are missing in Nepal following massive floods and landslides.
- Ten other South Koreans, affiliated with Doosan Enerbility Co., were isolated but nine have been moved to safety.
- One South Korean site manager remains at the construction site of the Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower plant.
- A joint emergency response team from South Korea has been dispatched to Nepal.
- The disaster, caused by a glacial collapse and debris flow, has resulted in at least 165 deaths and 826 missing people in Nepal.
Nine South Koreans remain unaccounted for following massive flooding and landslides in Nepal, while 10 others affiliated with plant builder Doosan Enerbility Co. have been moved to safety. The disaster, caused by a glacial collapse and debris flow, has resulted in at least 165 deaths and 826 missing people in Nepal.
Nine of the 10 South Koreans who had been isolated at a temporary shelter were transported by a Nepalese military helicopter to a safer area. The remaining South Korean, a Doosan site manager, stayed at the construction site of the Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower plant. Separately, nine other South Koreans, including six Doosan employees and three from Korea South-East Power Co., remain missing after the flash flood and mudslide struck on Wednesday.
South Korea's government has dispatched an 11-member rapid response team, comprising officials from the foreign ministry, police, and fire authorities, to Nepal to assist in search and rescue efforts. President Lee Jae Myung has ordered all available resources to be mobilized for the rescue of the missing nationals and instructed officials to ascertain if any other South Koreans have been affected.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun suggested the possibility of sending a larger-scale rescue team if necessary. The flood damage is expected to significantly delay the Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower plant project, which began construction in January 2022. The death toll and number of missing people from the disaster have continued to rise, with many of the missing being foreign tourists.