Dozens Dead in South Korea as Underpass Submerged in Flooding
SEOUL – A dozen people have been reported dead after an underpass in South Korea became submerged following heavy rainfall in the region. Rescue efforts are still underway as authorities try to locate any remaining victims.
The death toll from days of torrential rain has risen to 40, with the interior ministry also reporting nine people missing and 34 injured across the nation. Deluges have pummeled central and southern regions since Thursday as the rainy season reaches its peak.
The incident, which occurred in a tunnel in Cheongju, 110km south of Seoul, has raised questions about the government’s efforts to prevent and respond to flood damage. Some drivers who regularly use the road blame the authorities for not shutting down the underpass, even though floods were widely forecasted.
President Yoon Suk Yeol, just back from an overseas trip, has acknowledged the failure of authorities to follow disaster response rules. He convened a disaster response meeting and admitted that the situation was made worse by poor management of vulnerable areas.
Yoon emphasized the importance of access control over dangerous areas and preemptive evacuation in order to ensure public safety. He expressed frustration that despite repeated emphasis on these principles, they were not followed in this case.
Nearly 900 fire, police, and military officials took part in the rescue operation in the underpass, utilizing boats, underwater drones, and other equipment. While search efforts continue, authorities have stated that there are no signs of further victims in the remaining vehicles in the tunnel.
Floods have become increasingly deadly in recent rainy seasons as weather patterns have become more extreme. Last year, Seoul experienced the heaviest downpours in 115 years, resulting in flooding and the loss of at least 14 lives. In response, the government vowed to take steps to better cope with climate change-induced disasters.
President Yoon flew over some of the devastated areas in a helicopter, urging utmost efforts to rescue any remaining victims. He also promised support for those affected and designated flood-hit areas as special disaster zones.
Meanwhile, the situation across the border in North Korea remains unclear. The state media has reported on heavy rainfall and measures to protect crops, suggesting that the country may be experiencing similar flooding conditions. South Korea’s Unification Ministry has requested that Pyongyang notify them of any plans to release water from its Hwanggang Dam, recalling a previous incident in 2009 where the release of water resulted in fatal flooding downstream.
As the search and rescue efforts continue, authorities are working to understand the full extent of the damage caused by the heavy rainfall. The government assures the public that they will restore everything and provide necessary support to those affected by the floods.