A South Korean government rapid response team dispatched to search for nine nationals who went missing in flooding in Nepal has leased helicopters locally but has been unable to begin operations because Nepali authorities have not cleared the aircraft for takeoff.
"There has been no particular change in the status of the nine nationals who remain out of contact," a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official told reporters on the 28th. "The rapid response team has leased helicopters in Nepal" for search operations.
The team, which arrived in Kathmandu the previous day, secured a total of six helicopters. Three were leased by the South Korean Embassy in Nepal, two by Doosan Enerbility and one by Korea Southeast Power.
Nepali military authorities, however, have withheld permission for the South Korean helicopters to fly, citing concerns including the possibility of a second major flood. The aircraft are on standby at Kathmandu airport. Five officials from the National Fire Agency and one embassy staff member are waiting aboard the helicopters.
"The government rapid response team is asking Nepali authorities to approve the helicopter flights," the official said. The official added that Lim Sang-woo, the ministry's government representative for overseas Korean protection and consular affairs, who heads the team, is seeking a meeting with senior Nepali government officials.
Separately, nine of the 10 South Koreans who were rescued after being stranded by the flooding were evacuated to a safe area aboard a Nepali military helicopter the previous day and are set to travel overland to Kathmandu soon.
