Nepal Allows Limited Foreign Rescue Teams After Flood Pressure
Nepal reversed its ban after diplomatic pressure, allowing specialists from four countries to help identify bodies and rescue workers trapped in hydropower tunnels.
- The Nepal government reversed its decision to bar international search-and-rescue teams, allowing experts from India, China, Australia, and South Korea to conduct tunnel rescues, DNA testing, and forensic examinations.
- Officials had stated on Wednesday that domestic rescuers were sufficient and foreign teams would not be allowed. The administration yielded to significant pressure from embassies representing nations with dozens of citizens still missing after the massive flash flood.
- According to the Nepal Tourism Board, the massive flash flood devastated settlements along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers, leaving more than 550 dead and 977 missing, including 517 foreigners from 31 countries. Fourteen hydropower projects in Rasuwa and Nuwakot remain affected, with 76 employees unaccounted for at the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project.
- Foreign Minister Khanal confirmed that Nepal's limited capacity for DNA testing necessitated international assistance. Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun coordinated with Nepali officials to deploy specialized tunnel rescue and forensic teams.
- South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun requested the Nepali government's cooperation to ensure his Prompt Response Team can seamlessly carry out search-and-rescue operations. The nation is also actively preparing to dispatch the Korea Disaster Relief Team.
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Shisir Khanal, Nepal's Foreign Minister, calls on the international community to "unite to preserve the Himalayan ecosystem," after the deadly mudshed that killed more than 600 people on Wednesday.
So far, 675 people have died and more than 2,400 are missing in Nepal due to the devastating floods caused by the glacier burst. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal expressed gratitude for the assistance from India and China, among other countries, and dismissed reports that Nepal had rejected foreign aid. Fifty-seven tons of relief supplies and a technical team have arrived from India, while tunnel rescue experts have also arrived from China.
Nepal's U-turn on no foreign help for flood rescue, allows teams from India, China
Nepal has reversed its decision to reject foreign rescue assistance following international pressure over missing nationals. India, China, Australia and South Korea will provide specialised support for tunnel rescues, DNA testing and forensic identification after devastating flash floods.
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