Seoul, August 27: Eight South Korean citizens are missing following severe floods in Nepal, while ten others are stranded in the affected area. This information was confirmed by South Korea’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.
According to the ministry, the missing individuals are employees of Korea Southeast Power Company and Doosan Enervit. They were engaged in construction work for a hydropower project in Nepal’s Rasuwa district.
Additionally, ten other South Koreans associated with Doosan Enervit are also trapped in the region and awaiting rescue. The Nepalese government has dispatched helicopters to safely extract them, as reported by the Yonhap News Agency.
Upon learning of the eight citizens’ disappearance, the South Korean embassy informed the Nepalese government and requested an immediate and extensive search and rescue operation.
In response to the situation, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung instructed officials to utilize “all available resources” for the urgent search and rescue efforts, as stated by senior spokesperson Kang Yu-jung from the presidential office.
The devastating flash floods near the Nepal-Tibet border have caused widespread destruction. Foreign media reports indicate that several people have died, many remain missing, and villages and infrastructure have suffered significant damage.
Authorities report that a total of 384 tourists are missing, including 291 foreign nationals, among whom are 105 Indian citizens.
The Nepal Tourism Board has issued emergency contact numbers to assist tourists and their families, including a toll-free number (1234), a helpline (1144), and the tourist police number (9851289445).
The board has urged those in the affected areas to remain calm, seek information through official channels, and follow all safety instructions issued by the authorities.
Meanwhile, Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah held a meeting with lawmakers from the affected regions of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, and Chitwan. The meeting focused on assessing the damage caused by the earthquake and floods, the condition of riverside areas, and ongoing relief and rescue operations.
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