Foreign experts on tunnel rescue, DNA analysis begin work

Kathmandu, Aug. 30

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said that tunnel rescue experts from India, China and Republic of Korea have been mobilised, in coordination with the Nepali Army, to rescue the persons trapped in tunnels of hydropower projects in Rasuwa.     

"The situation is being effectively handled by unified teams of our security and other agencies. Our agencies are working with specialised technical teams for tunnel rescue from India (11 people) and China (9 people) and Republic of Korea," Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai informed at a press meet organised at the Ministry on Sunday.

The government has also received airtight bags for the management of the dead bodies and more are also being delivered. A team of 18 forensics experts from India specialising in DNA analysis has also arrived.

The government is coordinating for additional experts and equipment for the same. However, it is yet to make any estimates for the people trapped in the tunnels of the hydropower projects.

Meanwhile, Rai also expressed concerns over false reports circulating in national and foreign media that Nepal rejected international assistance and support.

"We have requested international support only to cater particular purpose such as tunnel rescue team at this rescue and relief state. We will require a significant level of support in the phase of reconstruction," he said.

He informed that the government has asked for freezers to preserve dead bodies which is a top priority. Support and expertise are also sought for DNA testing, for which, the country needs about 1000 freezers and several personnel for DNA testing.

With regard to the government’s priority for the search, rescue and relief operations, Prime Minister Balendra Shah is engaged in coordinating and supervising this operation.

He had telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif, while Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal talked to his counterparts and dignitaries of India, China, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Australia, Bangladesh, South Africa, Venezuela and USA, among others.

 

Nepal continues to receive foreign support

Relief and humanitarian assistance are being provided in the affected areas. Nepal has received relief materials from India China and UAE and other countries. Essential items are also being received from the USA, Japan, Qatar, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan and other countries and partners.

"As relief operations continue, further assessments are being made and we will reach out to our neighbours and international partners for additional assistance and support as needed," said Rai.

Given the extensive damage to critical infrastructure, houses, road networks, bridges and hydropower facilities, a detailed assessment of the needs is currently underway for the Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA). "We anticipate requiring international assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction. As the assessment progresses, we will communicate specific requirements later," Rai said.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the government is mobilising all resources at its disposal for the search, rescue and relief operations. Separate teams including security personnel, provincial and local governments, medical and emergency responders are continuously working together in the affected areas of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan Districts to locate, search, rescue and assist them who have been affected and need urgent help.  

It reiterated that the relief operations of the government continue to focus on providing immediate and all necessary assistance, including emergency medical care, food, safe drinking water, temporary shelter and other essential supplies.

 

ECR coordinating for missing foreign people

Stating that in this hour of difficulty, the government continues its close communication and coordination with our immediate neighbours and international community, Rai said that the Emergency Control Room at the MoFA is coordinating with relevant agencies as well as with the families of missing foreign people.  

Nepal's diplomatic missions are also constantly sharing and updating verified information, and facilitating communication with families and extend any necessary assistance, identification and repatriation procedures.  

By Sunday, around 19,000 security personnel and 16 helicopters have been mobilised in the areas affected by the devastating floods occurred in the Bhote Koshi River on August 26.

In view of the rainy season and possible floods, the river systems and downstream flood risks are being continuously monitored. Our systems are on high alert for any additional flood risks and all required coordination is in place.  

Meanwhile, dead bodies and mortal remains have been buried temporarily and can be extracted and provided to the concerned family when they were identified in future, said Rai.

"Following standard and accepted protocols such as those by ICRC, the mortal remains of the dead – especially those not recognisable, amputated and decomposed due to longer time exposure to water – have been temporarily buried," he said.

Medical teams take DNA samples from every victim prior to the burial so that families can match records later, and will be allowed to exhume for necessary rituals.    

Published in The Rising Nepal on 31 August 2026.