Kathmandu, August 29
An 11-member specialist technical team from India has been deployed to assist in the rescue operation at a tunnel following the recent floods, while Nepal expects a specialised team from China to arrive soon.
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal said on Saturday that the Indian team had already been mobilised and that the government expected a Chinese team with expertise in tunnel rescue to arrive shortly.
Speaking at a press briefing organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Khanal said the government was seeking necessary international technical assistance to make search and rescue operations more effective.
He said the government was prioritising technical assistance that could be provided by land because of the complex geographical conditions in the affected area.
“Because of the complex terrain and the impact the sudden flood has had on the ground, rescue operations have to be carried out with extreme caution,” Khanal said.
He added that bringing foreign rescue teams by helicopter could be even more difficult because of the challenging geography.
“Since this is unfamiliar terrain for foreign rescue teams, their safety also needs to be given priority. Therefore, the government is conducting rescue operations only on the basis of advice and field information from local security personnel who are already working there and understand the terrain well,” he said.
Khanal said Nepal had sought specialised assistance from friendly countries for the search and rescue of people trapped inside the tunnel.
He added that Nepal had also requested international assistance in identifying and locating people who may still be alive, including access to necessary technology, rapid DNA analysis and the long-term management of recovered bodies.
The government is seeking such international technical support as search and rescue operations continue in the aftermath of the devastating floods.
