Seoul, Aug 26 (IANS) Eight South Koreans were unaccounted for, and 10 others were stranded following a massive flood in Nepal, Seoul’s foreign ministry said Wednesday.
The eight missing South Koreans were employees of Korea South-East Power Co. and plant builder Doosan Enerbility Co., who were working on the construction of a hydropower plant in Nepal’s Rasuwa district, the ministry said.
Another 10 South Koreans affiliated with Doosan Enerbility were stranded in the area and awaiting rescue, the ministry said, Yonhap News Agency reported.
The Nepalese government has sent a helicopter to evacuate them, according to the ministry.
The South Korean Embassy in Nepal notified the Nepalese government after learning that the eight South Koreans were unaccounted for and called for an immediate and active search and rescue operation.
After being briefed on the situation, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung ordered authorities to “mobilise all available resources” for an urgent search and rescue operation, senior presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a notice to the press.
The massive flash floods occurred near the Nepal-Tibet border, killing 19 people and leaving hundreds missing while causing widespread damage to villages and infrastructure, according to foreign media reports.
A total of 384 tourists, including 291 foreigners, were reported missing, officials said. Of them, 105 were Indian nationals.
The Nepal Tourism Board has also issued emergency contact numbers for tourists and their families seeking information or assistance. The emergency contacts include the toll-free number 1234, the hotline 1144 and the Tourist Police number 9851289445.
The tourism board urged tourists in the affected areas to remain calm, stay informed through official channels and follow all safety instructions issued by the authorities.
In view of the situation, Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah has consulted with federal parliamentarians from the affected areas, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan.
The discussion focused on the damage caused by the earthquake, the condition of coastal settlements, and rescue and relief efforts.
–IANS
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