Seoul: Nine South Koreans remain unaccounted for following massive flooding in Nepal, with the government set to dispatch a joint rapid response team to the scene Thursday to support search and rescue efforts, Seoul's foreign ministry said. The missing individuals include six employees from Doosan Enerbility Co., a plant builder, and three from Korea South-East Power Co., a state-run power generation company. They were working on a hydropower plant project in Nepal's Rasuwa district when the flooding occurred on Wednesday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, another group of 10 South Koreans affiliated with Doosan, who were initially stranded in the area, have been confirmed safe but are still awaiting rescue. These individuals were part of approximately 200 foreign employees who evacuated the site amid the catastrophic flooding.

The government team, comprising officials from the foreign ministry, police, and fire authorities, is scheduled to head to Nepal and arrive in Kathmandu later on Thursday. President Lee Jae Myung has emphasized the importance of utilizing every available resource to locate and rescue the missing citizens.

"President Lee also instructed us to work closely with the Nepalese government and local authorities, support the families of those who remain unaccounted for, ensure the safety of South Koreans still in the area and do our utmost to prevent further casualties," Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated during an emergency response meeting on Wednesday. Cho also mentioned plans to engage in discussions with Nepal's foreign minister to seek further cooperation.

Both Doosan Enerbility and Korea South-East Power have initiated their own emergency response efforts, deploying field teams to the accident site. The flash floods struck near the Nepal-Tibet border, resulting in the deaths of over 160 people and leaving hundreds more missing, with many of the affected being foreigners, as reported by foreign media sources.