At least 14 individuals have lost their lives due to catastrophic floods and landslides sparked by several days of relentless rain in South Korea, according to the country's disaster management office. The situation remains critical as rescue operations are ongoing, with 12 people still reported missing.
Footage from Gapyeong, a resort town severely impacted by landslides, depicted residents making their way through thick mud and debris toward evacuation shelters after two landslides hit the area. Meanwhile, in the Chungcheon region, an entire village was buried under earth and debris, with dramatic video demonstrating the extent of destruction.
Since heavy rains commenced on Wednesday, nearly 10,000 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes, and more than 41,000 households have temporarily lost power, according to local media reports. Although continued rainfall is expected in Seoul and northern areas of the country, the heaviest precipitation has finally begun to diminish in the hardest-hit southern and central regions.
The southern part of South Korea has borne the brunt of the disaster, with six fatalities and seven individuals still unaccounted for in Sancheong county. Other casualties were reported in mountainous areas bordering Seoul and various western and northern regions as well. In Gapyeong alone, two people were confirmed dead, and four more were reported missing after a landslide swept through residential properties.
As of now, 63 individuals have been rescued, while 285 people have successfully relocated to safety, according to the Gyeonggi Province Fire Department. Serious warnings about landslide risks have been issued across numerous regions nationwide, prompting the government to initiate a multi-agency recovery effort aimed at restoring stability and safety to the affected areas.
