Nepal Missing Persons Search Team Temporarily Withdraws... "Will Resume After Snow Melts"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] On the 24th, the search for missing persons on the Annapurna trekking course in the Nepal Himalayas was temporarily suspended. It has been eight days since four Korean teachers and three locals went missing.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rapid Response Team stated, "The temperature at the accident site is between -15°C and -19°C, and snowfall is making the situation difficult," adding, "As of 2:30 PM on the 23rd, all search teams have temporarily withdrawn from the accident site." Due to the severe cold and snowfall, search personnel are struggling to endure, drone batteries are depleted, and rescue dogs have difficulty moving as ice clings to their fur, preventing them from detecting scents.

Nine Nepalese army search team members returned to their base that morning, and the local village search team, KT drone operation team, and detection dog search team also temporarily withdrew. Mountain climber Captain Eom Hong-gil, who led the KT drone search team, is also soon returning home. Captain Eom said, "There is a possibility that the missing persons are buried about 10 meters deep on average," and added, "It seems there is nothing more we can do. We have no choice but to wait until the snow melts." Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rapid Response Team stated, "If weather conditions improve, we will consult with Nepalese authorities on plans to resume the search."