[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Four Korean teachers trekking in Nepal's Annapurna in the Himalayas went missing after encountering an avalanche.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chungnam Office of Education, the accident occurred between 10:30 and 11:00 a.m. local time on the 17th while passing through the Deurali area (3,230 meters above sea level) on the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trekking course.
All the missing persons are currently active teachers affiliated with the Chungnam Office of Education. On the 13th, 11 teachers from 10 schools in the Chungnam region departed from Korea and planned to conduct educational volunteer activities in Nepal until the 25th. Among them, two stayed at the local accommodation due to health reasons, and nine participated in the trekking; five were rescued, and four went missing.
The four teachers leading the group were swept away by the falling snow along with local guides, while the five following behind avoided the accident. It was also reported that one person was injured during the evacuation process.
The Chungnam Office of Education announced that the four missing teachers are Lee Mo (56, male), Choi Mo (37, female), Kim Mo (52, female), and Jung Mo (59, male).
AFP reported that "at least seven people, including four Koreans and three Nepalis, are missing," and local media reported that "Chinese tourists are also missing."
The Korean Embassy in Nepal immediately requested active search efforts from the police upon receiving the accident report and informed the families of the missing persons in Korea.
The accident site is known to be located about a three-day walk from Pokhara city near the central Himalayas in Nepal.
The weather conditions have been very unfavorable with heavy snowfall continuing for several days. On the morning of the 18th, the Nepalese police rescue team was dispatched to the site, but it is reported that search efforts are facing difficulties due to the challenging access to the area.
Flights from Kathmandu to Pokhara, where Annapurna is located, have been continuously canceled recently due to bad weather. Normally, it takes 7 to 8 hours by car from Kathmandu to Pokhara, but roads are cut off in many places, making access difficult.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Korean Embassy in Nepal, has formed an emergency response team, requested the Nepalese authorities to conduct a swift search for the missing persons, and plans to dispatch a rapid response team from headquarters to actively provide necessary consular assistance.
The police authorities said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency, "There are no roads connected to the accident site, and due to worsening weather conditions throughout the day, aerial rescue operations were impossible," adding, "Police and residents were sent on foot to the site."
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