Death toll from S. Korea's torrential rains rises to 33, 10 missing

Seoul:  The Death toll from the torrential rains over the past week in South Korea rose to 33, while 10 others were missing, relevant authorities said on Sunday.

According to the central disaster and safety countermeasure headquarters, 33 people had been found dead in southeastern North Gyeongsang province and central Chungcheong province.

Heavy rain warnings were issued for the provinces, which recorded accumulated precipitation of more than 500 mm for the past week. Ten people remained unaccounted for, including nine missing in the North Gyeongsang province.

Flooding, housing collapses, and landslides increased the casualties across the country. Seven bodies were recovered overnight from vehicles trapped in a flooded underground tunnel in the central town of Osong.

A total of 7,866 people from 13 cities and provinces were evacuated due to the damage from the downpours.

The number of damages to public facilities reached 149 cases, which included the collapse of road slopes, road damage and destruction, mudslides, and flooding.

Damages to private facilities were 124 cases such as housing collapses and flooding, submerged vehicles, damaged fishing boats, and destroyed walls.

RSS