Rescuers looking for stranded people due to flooding, Cheongju, South Korea, July 15, 2023. /CFP
At least 22 people have died in South Korea as of 4:30 p.m. local time Saturday as a result of days of torrential rains, Yonhap reported, citing local officials.
Officials said 14 others remain missing, and thousands across the country have been forced to evacuate due to flooding and mudslides.
South Korean emergency workers search for survivors at a house destroyed by flood waters after heavy rains in Yecheon, South Korea, July 15, 2023. /AFP via Gyeongbuk Fire Service Headquarters
As of 6 p.m. (0900 GMT), 4,763 people had been evacuated nationwide, according to the Ministry of Interior and Safety, as water overtopped the dam in North Chungcheong province on Saturday morning.
Over the last three days, heavy rainfall has submerged counties across the country. The death toll may rise later as more heavy rain is expected on the Korean peninsula on Sunday, the Korea Meteorological Administration forecast.
Rescue workers search for people in houses collapsed following a landslide caused by heavy rain in Yecheon, South Korea, Saturday, July 15, 2023. /CFP
More than 6,400 residents in the central county of Goesan were ordered to evacuate early Saturday as the Goesan Dam began overflowing from the downpour and submerging low-lying villages nearby, the Interior Ministry said.
A village was destroyed by landslides caused by torrential rain. /CFP
Korea Railroad Corp said it was halting all slow trains and some bullet trains, while other bullet trains might be delayed due to slower operation, as landslides, track flooding and falling rocks threatened safety.
A slow train derailed late on Friday when a landslide threw earth and sand over tracks in North Chungcheong province, the Transport Ministry said. The engineer was injured, but no passengers were on board.
(With input from AFP, Reuters)