Nine Koreans Missing in Nepal Floods... President Lee to Convene Emergency Meeting

At Least 160 Dead, Hundreds Missing
Joint Government Rapid Response Team Departing for Nepal Today
Minister Choe Hyun: "Every Effort for Rescue"

A massive flood in the Himalayan mountain region bordering Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China has resulted in the deaths of at least 160 people, with hundreds more reported missing. Nine Korean employees from Korea South-East Power and Doosan Enerbility, who were working on the construction of a hydroelectric power plant, have also lost contact. In response, President Lee Jaemyung has canceled all of his scheduled plans for August 27 and decided to personally preside over an emergency situation assessment meeting.

The previous day (local time), the Rasuwagadhi border area in Rasuwa district, Bagmati Province, Nepal, was hit by a massive flood. According to Nepal Police, at least 157 people have died in this disaster. China Central Television (CCTV) also reported that at least three people died in Gyirong County in Tibet, near the border area. Combining casualties from Nepal and China, the death toll has reached at least 160.

The number of missing or uncontactable people amounts to several hundred. Nepal’s Prime Minister’s Office announced that 484 tourists and travelers, including 391 foreigners and 93 Nepali nationals, have lost contact. The Chinese side also reported 265 people currently missing. It is known that there are also missing Korean nationals. Nine Koreans—six from Doosan Enerbility and three from Korea South-East Power—have lost contact near the local hydroelectric power plant construction site and are currently missing. However, another group of ten Koreans from Doosan Enerbility, who were reported to be isolated, have taken shelter and are awaiting rescue in a safe location.

Foreign Minister Chohyun is presiding over the Overseas Citizens Protection Headquarters meeting regarding the missing Korean nationals in the Nepal floods at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 26th. 2026.8.26 Photo by Mon, Yonhap News

Minister Choe Hyun Pledges "Every Effort to Rescue Missing Nationals"

On the morning of August 27, Foreign Minister Choe Hyun met with The Asia Business Daily at the Government Complex in Seoul and said, “We will do everything possible to rescue our missing nationals and will cooperate closely with the Nepalese government.” She added, “I instructed the rapid response team to depart quickly, keeping these two priorities in mind.” She further stated, “I will speak with Nepal’s foreign minister this afternoon and make all necessary requests.” Minister Choe was currently coordinating her schedule to hold a phone call with Nepal’s foreign minister that afternoon.

On the night before, Minister Choe urgently convened a meeting of the Overseas Citizens Protection Headquarters and discussed response measures with officials from the Korean Embassy in Nepal, the National Police Agency, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. She said, “Should the situation change, we plan to convene additional meetings.” As of 10:00 a.m. on August 27, there were no changes to the number of missing or isolated people. The Overseas Citizens Protection Headquarters, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has begun 24-hour monitoring together with local diplomatic missions.

The government’s joint rapid response team, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will depart for Nepal via Incheon International Airport at around 1:40 p.m. today, making transit en route to its destination. The rapid response team consists of 11 members in total (four from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, two from the National Police Agency, and five from the National Fire Agency) with Im Sangwoo, Government Representative for Overseas Nationals Protection and Consular Affairs, serving as team leader. They are expected to arrive in Nepal after 9:00 p.m. local time. Before departing, team leader Im told reporters, “We will do everything possible to ensure the swift and safe search and rescue of our nationals in Nepal.”

Koreans affiliated with Korea South-East Power and Doosan Enerbility have gone missing due to floods and landslides near a hydropower plant construction site in Nepal. On August 27, Im Sangwoo, Head of the Joint Rapid Response Team, responded to reporters' questions before departing for Nepal at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1. 2026.8.27 Photo by cityboy, Yonhap News Agency

Nepal and Chinese Authorities Deploy Full Forces for Rescue

Nepalese authorities, anticipating the possibility of further flooding, have urged residents to avoid areas near the Trishuli, Bhotekoshi, and Narayani rivers. At least 19 bridges and about 40 kilometers of roads have been destroyed by the flooding. Police and military forces are continuing search and rescue operations; however, widespread power outages and debris caused by the flood are hampering their efforts. Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah emphasized on Facebook, "The government will take full responsibility for rescue, medical treatment, food, and temporary shelter. In times like these, everyone must work together."

The Chinese government, which shares a border with Nepal, has also provided emergency assistance. The Chinese Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Emergency Management have urgently allocated 120 million yuan (approximately USD 17.9 million) in central natural disaster relief funds to support rescue and relief efforts in Tibet.

Floods Triggered by Landslides... Possible Glacier and Rock Collapse

This flood is believed to have been triggered by a landslide that occurred at the Nepal–China border. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) initially reported a magnitude 4.4 earthquake near the border, about 66 kilometers north of Kathmandu, Nepal. Later, the USGS reclassified this event as a landslide with a magnitude of 5.2. Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) stated on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that initial satellite image analysis suggests flooding of the Lende River was caused by the border landslide between Nepal and China.

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