Nepal flood: 8 South Koreans missing, 10 stranded near Rasuwa
Synopsis
Eight South Korean hydropower workers are missing and 10 more are stranded after flash floods tore through Nepal's Rasuwa district near the Tibet border. With 384 tourists missing — including 105 Indians — and President Lee Jae Myung ordering an all-out rescue, this is shaping into a major cross-border crisis for one of Nepal's most flood-vulnerable corridors.
Key Takeaways
Eight South Koreans — employees of Korea South-East Power Co. and Doosan Enerbility Co. — went missing after flash floods in Rasuwa district, Nepal on 26 August .
10 additional South Koreans affiliated with Doosan Enerbility were stranded and awaiting helicopter evacuation.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung ordered authorities to 'mobilise all available resources' for search and rescue.
The floods near the Nepal-Tibet border killed at least 19 people and left 384 tourists — including 105 Indian nationals — reported missing.
Nepal Tourism Board activated emergency helplines: toll-free 1234 , hotline 1144 , Tourist Police 9851289445 .
Nepal PM Balendra Shah held consultations with parliamentarians from Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha , and Chitwan .
Eight South Koreans remained unaccounted for and 10 others were stranded in Nepal's Rasuwa district on Wednesday, 26 August, following devastating flash floods near the Nepal-Tibet border, Seoul's foreign ministry confirmed. The incident has triggered an emergency response from the South Korean presidency and drawn urgent diplomatic engagement with Kathmandu.
Who Is Missing and Who Is Stranded
The eight missing South Koreans were employees of Korea South-East Power Co. and plant builder Doosan Enerbility Co., both engaged in the construction of a hydropower plant in Rasuwa district. The remaining 10 stranded nationals, also affiliated with Doosan Enerbility, were awaiting rescue in the flood-affected zone as of Wednesday. The Nepalese government dispatched a helicopter to evacuate the stranded workers, according to Seoul's foreign ministry.
South Korean President Orders All-Out Rescue Push
After being briefed on the situation, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung directed authorities to 'mobilise all available resources' for an urgent search and rescue operation. Senior presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung conveyed the order in a notice to the press. The South Korean Embassy in Nepal had earlier notified the Nepalese government of the missing workers and formally called for an immediate and active search-and-rescue response.
Scale of the Nepal Flood Disaster
The flash floods, which struck near the Nepal-Tibet border, have killed at least 19 people and left hundreds missing, according to reports, while causing widespread damage to villages and infrastructure. A total of 384 tourists — including 291 foreigners — were reported missing, officials said. Of these, 105 were Indian nationals, making India the single largest group among the missing foreign tourists.
Nepal's Response and Emergency Contacts
The Nepal Tourism Board issued emergency contact numbers for tourists and their families: toll-free number 1234, hotline 1144, and Tourist Police number 9851289445. The board urged those in affected areas to remain calm, follow official channels, and adhere to all safety instructions. Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah consulted with federal parliamentarians from the affected districts — Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, and Chitwan — focusing on damage assessment, the condition of riverside settlements, and the status of rescue and relief operations.
What Comes Next
With search operations ongoing and weather conditions in high-altitude border zones notoriously unpredictable, the fate of the eight missing South Korean workers remains uncertain. The involvement of two major South Korean energy and engineering firms underscores Nepal's growing role as a destination for foreign hydropower investment — and the risks that come with construction in flood-prone Himalayan terrain. Rescue teams are expected to intensify efforts as access routes are assessed.
Point of View
Drawn by Nepal's vast river potential, routinely station workers in high-altitude, flood-prone districts with limited evacuation infrastructure. Rasuwa sits on one of the most seismically and hydrologically volatile corridors in the Himalayas; the 2015 earthquake devastated the same district. That 105 of the 384 missing tourists are Indian nationals also points to a gap in India's own travel advisory framework for Nepal's monsoon season. The real accountability question is whether Nepal's disaster-response capacity has kept pace with the volume of foreign nationals it now hosts in its most hazardous zones.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the eight South Koreans missing in the Nepal flood?
The eight missing South Koreans were employees of Korea South-East Power Co. and plant builder Doosan Enerbility Co., who were working on a hydropower plant construction project in Nepal's Rasuwa district. They went unaccounted for after flash floods struck the area near the Nepal-Tibet border on 26 August.
What is the overall scale of the Nepal flood disaster?
The flash floods near the Nepal-Tibet border have killed at least 19 people and left hundreds missing, with widespread damage to villages and infrastructure reported. A total of 384 tourists — including 291 foreigners and 105 Indian nationals — were reported missing as of Wednesday.
What action has South Korea taken to rescue its citizens?
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung ordered authorities to mobilise all available resources for an urgent rescue operation. The South Korean Embassy in Nepal formally requested an immediate search-and-rescue response from the Nepalese government, which dispatched a helicopter to evacuate the 10 stranded South Korean workers.
How can tourists or families get emergency help from Nepal authorities?
The Nepal Tourism Board has activated emergency helplines: toll-free number 1234, hotline 1144, and Tourist Police number 9851289445. Tourists in affected areas have been advised to remain calm, follow official channels, and comply with all safety instructions.
Which districts in Nepal are most affected by the floods?
The worst-affected districts include Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, and Chitwan. Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah has held emergency consultations with federal parliamentarians from all five districts to assess damage and coordinate relief efforts.
