A site manager for Doosan Enerbility, rescued after devastating floods in Nepal, has shared his harrowing experience and pledged to assist ongoing search and rescue operations. The executive, identified as Mr. A, spoke to reporters on October 30th (local time) in Kathmandu, detailing the chaotic moments during the disaster and expressing deep concern for colleagues still unaccounted for.
Trapped and Disoriented During the Flood
Mr. A explained that he was inside a tunnel when the flash floods struck, preventing him from witnessing the initial inundation. “When the incident occurred, I was inside the tunnel, so I did not see the moment the floodwaters engulfed the site,” he stated. He recounted that visibility was severely limited due to the torrential rain and debris, making it impossible to ascertain the extent of the flooding or the location of the company’s temporary office and camp.
It took several hours for the situation to become clearer. “It was only after about three to four hours that the scene began to become somewhat visible,” Mr. A said. “Because of this, I could not accurately grasp the situation at the site at the time of the accident.” This disorientation and lack of immediate information underscored the severity and suddenness of the natural disaster.
Ongoing Search and Emotional Toll
Representing ten rescued Korean nationals, Mr. A conveyed the ongoing emotional distress and uncertainty faced by the survivors. “There are still colleagues we cannot reach, and therefore, we are all experiencing psychological distress and deep sorrow,” he shared. The inability to contact all employees has created a lingering sense of anxiety among those who were rescued.
Despite his own ordeal, Mr. A is committed to contributing to the rescue efforts. “Within the scope of what I can do, I will provide support in the direction that can be most helpful for the search,” he affirmed. He also confirmed his intention to remain in Nepal for the time being to assist.
Commitment to Supporting Rescue Operations
Mr. A believes his firsthand knowledge of the site conditions is invaluable. “I believe I know the site conditions better than anyone,” he stated. “Therefore, by staying here, I intend to provide maximum support to all relevant government agencies and the search teams. My goal is to help ensure that the colleagues who are still unreachable can return to their families as soon as possible.”
The briefing with Mr. A was kept brief, reportedly around three minutes, out of consideration for his emotional state. When asked about the specific locations where many individuals went missing or were rescued, a Doosan representative stated that the exact areas have not yet been precisely identified.
Before departing, Mr. A simply said, “I will do my best.”
Corporate Response and Rescue Efforts
Doosan Group confirmed that Park Ji-won, CEO of Doosan Enerbility, and Park Je-won, Chairman of Doosan Group, met with rescued employees in Kathmandu earlier that day. They received firsthand accounts of the situation at the disaster site.
Following the meeting, the company held a conference at the Kathmandu city hall’s emergency response center. During this meeting, they reportedly urged for a thorough review and implementation of all proposed search and rescue plans. In the afternoon, company officials met with the government’s rapid response team to discuss collaborative strategies.
Identifying the Missing and Challenges in Search
The recent floods have resulted in the loss of contact with nine individuals: six employees from Doosan Enerbility and three from Namdo Development. The government has formed a joint rapid response team with Doosan Enerbility to manage the situation.
Two helicopters, one from the government’s team and one from Doosan Enerbility, were slated to search a region where some of the missing individuals were known to work. However, the Nepalese army did not grant flight permission, citing safety and air traffic control concerns. The government is reportedly considering the use of drones for the search and has provided the Nepalese authorities with suspected coordinates and maps of the missing persons’ locations to aid in their search efforts.
The situation remains critical, with rescue teams working tirelessly under challenging conditions to locate the missing individuals and provide support to those affected by the devastating floods.
