Nepal Aircraft Search Resumes... Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Prepare Support Measures for Victims' Families

2nd Vice Minister Lee Do-hoon Chairs Overseas Korean Protection Measures Meeting
Overseas Korean Protection Measures Meeting Held

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Lee Do-hoon, the 2nd Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a meeting of the Overseas Korean Protection Measures Committee (a joint meeting of related ministries) on the morning of the 16th regarding the Nepal aircraft crash accident.

At this meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs exchanged opinions on the Nepal government's search and rescue situation for casualties. The related ministries attending the meeting stated that they would spare no support in the future accident recovery process.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to continue efforts to confirm additional damage and prepare support measures for the victims' families through cooperation between local diplomatic missions and the Nepal government, centered on the Overseas Korean Protection Measures Committee.

Meanwhile, according to the passenger list released on the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority's website, among the 15 foreigners, there were 2 Koreans, both with the surname Yoo. The Korean passengers are reported to be a man in his 40s with the surname Yoo and his teenage son.

The Nepal authorities announced that on the second day of the accident, the 16th, they would continue search operations using soldiers and police, following the previous day. However, it is known that the search operation is very difficult because the wreckage of the crashed aircraft is scattered across steep mountain slopes and gorges. Some of the bodies have been moved to hospitals, but some remain in the gorges.

Earlier, on the 15th, a Yeti Airlines ATR72 crashed near the newly constructed international airport in Pokhara. The Nepal authorities explained that they found 68 bodies that day and could not confirm the status of 4 people. The aircraft had a total of 72 people on board, including 68 passengers and 4 crew members, with 15 foreigners including 2 Koreans, 5 Indians, and 4 Russians.