Cheongju Osong Underpass Vehicle Stranding of About 10 Cars... 1 Dead, 8 Rescued (Update)

Fire Department "Unable to Confirm How Many People Are in the Underground Passage"
Possibility of Additional Casualties Increases

As heavy rain continues for the third day, a fatality occurred when the Gungpyeong No. 2 Underpass in Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si was suddenly flooded by rising water.

On the 15th, a report was received that a vehicle was submerged in the Gungpyeong 2nd Underpass in Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk, prompting fire authorities and police to conduct a search operation.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

According to the Chungbuk Fire Headquarters on the 15th, around 10 a.m. that day, the Gungpyeong No. 1 and No. 2 underpasses in Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, were quickly submerged, trapping about 10 vehicles including buses, resulting in one death and eight rescues.

The Chungbuk Fire Headquarters rescue team, which responded urgently, rescued eight people, including bus passengers who were clinging to the railings, and recovered the body of a man in his 30s who could not escape in time.

A fire official stated in a briefing, "The embankment around Miho River suddenly collapsed, causing water to rush in and quickly flood the underpass, making it difficult for vehicles and drivers to evacuate."

He added, "According to statements from rescued witnesses, about ten vehicles appear to have been submerged. However, the exact number of vehicles and how many people were trapped inside have not yet been determined," indicating a high possibility of additional casualties.

The eight rescued individuals were transported to two hospitals, four per hospital, and are reported to be in stable condition.

The police and fire authorities are continuing additional rescue operations, but the complete flooding of the underpass is causing difficulties in the rescue efforts.

A fire official said, "We are considering whether to proceed with rescue operations after drainage work using a large-capacity water cannon system. However, even after drainage, the water circulates and returns to its original state, causing ongoing difficulties."

By the afternoon of the same day, Cheongju, which received over 200mm of heavy rain, experienced flooding of the Miho River around noon. The Mihocheon Bridge point of the Miho River recorded a water level of 9.92m, exceeding the flood warning standard (8m). Cheongju City urgently evacuated residents in areas around the Miho River, including Oksan and Osong.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.