South Korean families push for helicopter access in Nepal flood search

SEOUL — Families of South Korean nationals unaccounted for after a catastrophic flash flood in Nepal are demanding urgent helicopter access to accelerate search and rescue efforts, citing the loss of precious time in the race to locate survivors.

The appeal came on Friday, more than 48 hours after the disaster struck the Himalayan nation. The families have expressed growing concern that ground-based rescue operations alone are insufficient given the difficult terrain and challenging conditions in the affected areas.

The flash floods have caused widespread damage across Nepal, with rescue teams facing significant obstacles in reaching affected regions. The deployment of helicopters would enable search parties to access remote areas more quickly and expand the scope of recovery operations.

South Korean authorities are coordinating with Nepali counterparts to expedite assistance for their nationals. The incident underscores the vulnerability of workers operating in disaster-prone regions and the critical importance of rapid response mechanisms in international emergency situations.

Nepal's authorities have not yet provided detailed information on the total number of missing persons or confirmed casualties in the flooding incident. Search operations continue on the ground as families await news of their relatives.