South Korea landslides, floods kill more than 20 as over 1,000 evacuated

Published
0
A vehicle makes its way through a flooded area caused by heavy rain in Cheongju, South Korea on July 15. — Reuters
A vehicle makes its way through a flooded area caused by heavy rain in Cheongju, South Korea on July 15. — Reuters
A general view shows landslide caused by torrential rain in Yecheon, South Korea on July 15. — Reuters
A general view shows landslide caused by torrential rain in Yecheon, South Korea on July 15. — Reuters

Some 24 people have died, 10 were missing and thousands were evacuated in South Korea as of Saturday, Yonhap news agency said citing various regional governments, as a third day of torrential rains caused landslides and the overflow of a dam.

As of 11am (2am GMT), 1,567 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.

Local governments’ evacuation orders covered more than 7,000 people at various times, according to provincial authorities.

The tally is expected to rise as more heavy rain is expected on the Korean peninsula on Sunday, the Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted.

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.

 South Korean emergency workers search for survivors after a landslide hit a small village in Yecheon on July 15. — AFP
South Korean emergency workers search for survivors after a landslide hit a small village in Yecheon on July 15. — AFP

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.

In a meeting with government agencies on Saturday, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo called for the military to actively join in rescue activities, working with government officials to mobilise equipment and manpower.

Opinion

Editorial

Fixing bond markets
Updated 01 Oct, 2026

Fixing bond markets

Pension funds, insurance companies, mutual funds, retail investors, and eventually, foreign investors must become bigger participants in the market.
Call centre rackets
01 Oct, 2026

Call centre rackets

A NUMBER of recent raids conducted by the authorities in different cities point to the growing threat fraudulent ...
Homeward bound
01 Oct, 2026

Homeward bound

FIVE months after Somali pirates captured an oil tanker carrying a 19-member multinational crew, Somali maritime...
Kashmir unresolved
Updated 30 Sep, 2026

Kashmir unresolved

The just solution lies in India addressing the issue through a trilateral dialogue involving the legitimate representatives of the Kashmiri people and Pakistan.
Water shortage
30 Sep, 2026

Water shortage

THAT the country is entering the Rabi season with an anticipated water shortage of nearly 25pc, the lowest carryover...
Young hearts
30 Sep, 2026

Young hearts

THE observance may have passed, but the message of World Heart Day should not fade with it. The occasion is a useful...