Doosan, KOEN widen drone, helicopter search for 9 missing workers in Nepal

South Korean rescue teams have begun intensive efforts to locate nine missing citizens stranded in the wake of catastrophic floods in Nepal, following a series of challenges in accessing the disaster zone. On August 29, 2026, the South Korean government dispatched a rapid response team to Nepal, aiming to find the nine South Koreans still unaccounted for after a massive flash flood and mudslide devastated the Rasuwa district. The team, composed of officials from the Foreign Ministry, the National Fire Agency, and police, arrived in Kathmandu and began coordinating with both the South Korean embassy and Nepalese authorities. The search efforts have faced numerous obstacles, including restrictions on foreign helicopter operations imposed by Nepalese authorities due to the risk of further flooding and unpredictable weather conditions. The nine missing individuals, six employees of Doosan Enerbility Co. and three from Korea South-East Power Co., were working at a hydroelectric power plant construction site in Rasuwa when the disaster struck on August 26. The flood, triggered by a glacial collapse, swept through the region, destroying infrastructure and isolating workers. While ten of the Doosan employees were successfully evacuated by Nepalese military helicopters, the remaining nine have remained elusive. The government and corporate rescue teams have secured six helicopters for search and rescue operations, but access has been limited due to ongoing restrictions. Doosan Enerbility has also planned to deploy drones to scan potential shelter locations, should permission be granted. Despite these efforts, progress has been slow. A government-leased helicopter attempted searches on multiple occasions, but no signs of the missing individuals were found. The Nepali military conducted searches based on coordinates provided by the response team, but no results emerged. Meanwhile, the South Korean government has considered deploying a Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT), a statutory emergency unit capable of providing extensive search and rescue, medical, and logistical support. However, this deployment depends on approval from Nepalese authorities, who have emphasized their preference for domestic-led operations. Seoul has been in discussions with Nepali officials regarding the KDRT, expressing readiness to assist if requested. In addition to the search efforts, the broader impact of the floods has been severe. According to reports, the disaster has claimed over 800 lives and left more than 3,000 people missing, with the death toll continuing to rise as bodies are recovered from the mud and debris. The floods have also disrupted transportation networks, forcing reliance on helicopters and drones for access to remote areas. The Nepali government has warned of the dangers posed by newly formed barrier lakes, which could potentially burst and cause further devastation. Residents and rescue workers in downstream regions have been advised to avoid riverbanks and other hazardous zones. Amid these developments, the South Korean government has taken steps to bolster its response. On August 30, a 44-member KDRT was prepared for deployment, led by Director General Lee Kyu-ho of the Foreign Ministry. The team includes personnel from the ministry, the Korea International Cooperation Agency, and the National Fire Agency, and is intended to support both search and rescue operations and broader relief efforts. The KDRT will operate alongside the existing rapid response team, which has been conducting ground and aerial searches for the missing South Koreans. The military has also prepared a KC-330 Cygnus multirole tanker transport aircraft to facilitate the movement of personnel and supplies, pending coordination with Nepalese authorities. The situation has also prompted diplomatic gestures. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un extended messages of sympathy to Chinese and Nepali leaders, acknowledging the scale of the disaster and offering condolences. This reflects a broader pattern of regional solidarity in the face of natural calamities. Meanwhile, the South Korean government has pledged $1 million in humanitarian aid to support Nepal’s flood recovery efforts through international organizations. As the search for the nine missing continues, the focus remains on ensuring their safe retrieval. The government has also addressed the health and well-being of the 10 rescued workers, emphasizing the importance of rest and medical evaluation before any return travel is arranged. Families of the missing have called for urgent action, urging the government to prioritize helicopter operations to expedite the search. With the flood season showing no signs of abating, the race to locate the missing South Koreans remains critical, as the region faces the threat of further devastation.