Government Dispatches Rapid Response Team for Four Missing Koreans in Nepal

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] An avalanche occurred on the Annapurna trekking course in the high mountain region of Nepal, resulting in four Koreans missing and five people taking shelter. The government has dispatched a rapid response team to the site.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 18th, the first advance team, consisting of seven members including two from the Ministry's rapid response team, two officials from the Chungnam Office of Education, and three travel agency officials, departed Incheon Airport at 1:25 PM.

They are scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal, at 9:20 PM Korean time. Six family members of the missing persons are also reported to be accompanying the first advance team.

Search operations for the missing are facing difficulties due to worsening local weather conditions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "Helicopter searches are limited due to deteriorating weather conditions in the Deraula and Pokhara areas, where the missing persons are located," and added, "Helicopters will be deployed once the weather improves."

They also explained, "The Nepal police search team is moving on foot to the accident site around 7 AM local time (10:15 AM Korean time) for the search," and "A helicopter is currently on standby to transport the five people sheltering at the lodge in the Pokhara area."

The accident occurred when nine Koreans encountered an avalanche while passing through the Deurali area (3,230 meters above sea level) on the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trekking course between 10:30 and 11:00 AM local time on the 17th.

All four missing persons are currently active teachers affiliated with the Chungnam Office of Education, and including the local guide, the total number of missing persons is reported to be five.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.