Search for Missing Persons Hampered by Nepal Weather Deterioration... Rescue Teams Forced to Evacuate Urgently

Search Resumes Today with Helicopters and Drones Deployed
Deputy Prime Minister Yoo Eun-hye: "Efforts to Support Including Deployment of Experts"

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye visited the Overseas Education Volunteer Group Accident Situation Headquarters set up at the Chungnam Office of Education on the morning of the 20th to check the rescue status of teachers missing in Annapurna, Nepal.

[Asia Economy reporters Jo In-kyung and Lim Cheol-young] A helicopter search is underway in Nepal's Annapurna, where four Korean teachers went missing due to an avalanche, but adverse weather conditions are hindering the rescue efforts. Furthermore, an additional avalanche occurred at the accident site, forcing the rescue team to urgently evacuate and suspend the search.

The rescue team, organized with about 30 members including local residents, plans to resume the search on the 20th. Drones will be deployed to search areas that are difficult for the rescue team to access directly. According to AFP and other sources, a local official expressed difficulties in deploying the rescue team due to snow accumulation over 4 to 5 meters and rapidly changing weather, stating, "We plan to attempt drone flights to locate the missing persons."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a video conference with the Embassy of Nepal and dispatched two additional rapid response team members to the site. Earlier, the first advance team, consisting of two rapid response team members from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, two officials from the Chungnam Office of Education, and three travel agency officials?a total of seven people?arrived in Kathmandu on the 18th along with six family members of the missing persons. Subsequently, the families of the missing arrived in Pokhara, a city near the accident site, together with government officials, but due to harsh conditions, they have been unable to travel to the accident site.

The Nepalese authorities initially formed a search team of 20 people, including local residents and police, and upon request from the Korean government, deployed an additional 6 to 10 police specialists with rescue experience. Helicopters, which had been underutilized due to worsening weather, were deployed for searches near the accident site. Additionally, Nepalese authorities are reportedly preparing to conduct searches using military helicopters.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye visited the Overseas Education Volunteer Group Accident Situation Headquarters set up at the Chungnam Office of Education on the 20th, stating, "Although helicopter searches have begun, we will consult with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deploy additional helicopters and specialists familiar with the local terrain for faster rescue and search operations and provide necessary support."

The missing accident occurred between 10:30 and 11:00 a.m. local time on the 17th near the Deurali area (elevation 3,230 m) on the Annapurna Base Camp (A.B.C) trekking course. Of the 11 members of the Chungnam Office of Education Overseas Education Volunteer Group, including the four missing teachers, nine arrived at the Deurali Lodge on the 16th, stayed overnight, and the next day, while descending the mountain due to worsening weather, encountered the avalanche.

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