Nepal to allow India, China, Australia, South Korea teams to assist rescue ops
Nepal has decided to accept limited assistance from foreign countries for specialised rescue and forensic operations following the devastating Bhotekoshi flash floods.
The decision came after pressure from several countries whose citizens remain unaccounted for following the disaster. According to reports, Nepal will now permit specialist teams from India, China, Australia and South Korea to assist with operations requiring expertise in tunnel rescue, DNA testing and forensic examination.
The government had initially maintained that Nepal’s own rescue agencies were capable of handling the search-and-rescue effort and had declined offers from other nations.
The floods caused widespread destruction along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems. More than 600 deaths had been reported by Friday, while around 1,000 people were still missing. Foreign nationals from 31 countries are among those unaccounted for.
Indian nationals reportedly make up the largest group of missing foreigners, with 178 people listed as missing. They are followed by nationals of the United States, Ukraine, Australia and Britain.
India has offered specialised assistance, including tunnel-rescue experts, medical personnel and teams from the National Disaster Response Force.
Foreign Secretary-level officials have also been coordinating with Nepal. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India had offered several forms of assistance and that Nepal was assessing the proposals.
India is also sending another batch of relief material, with an 11-member group comprising doctors, paramedics and tunnel-rescue specialists included in the effort.
South Korea has similarly offered assistance. Its Foreign Minister Cho Hyun spoke with Nepalese Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal about the situation of South Korean nationals in the country, including nine people who remain out of contact.