Nearly 50 Dead or Missing Due to Heavy Rain... Osong Death Toll Rises to 8

Heavy Rainfall of 300mm Expected in Inland Areas of Chungcheong, Jeonbuk, and Northern Gyeongbuk Until the 18th

As heavy rain continues nationwide for several days, the number of people who have died or gone missing is approaching 50 as of the 16th. At the search site for missing persons in the Osong underpass in Cheongju, one more body was recovered, increasing the death toll to eight.

On the 16th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) announced that from the 9th to 11 a.m. on the 16th, the total number of deaths and missing persons due to heavy rain was 43. The death toll stands at 33, including 17 in Gyeongbuk, 11 in Chungbuk, 4 in Chungnam, and 1 in Sejong. The missing number is 10, with 9 in Gyeongbuk and 1 in Busan. There are 22 injured (14 in Chungbuk, 4 in Gyeongbuk, 2 in Chungnam, 1 in Gyeonggi, and 1 in Jeonnam).

[Image source=Yonhap News]

After the CDSCH announcement, one body was additionally recovered from the Osong underpass, and one more death was reported in the Gyeongbuk area, raising the total death toll to 35.

It is known that more than ten vehicles were submerged in the Osong underpass, where the search is ongoing, so there is a possibility of additional casualties if more victims of the flooding accident are found. The drainage and search operations in Osong involved 399 personnel, including soldiers, police, firefighters, and related officials, along with 65 pieces of equipment. The rescue authorities expect to complete drainage work up to the waist height of an adult male by the afternoon and accelerate the search operations.

According to the CDSCH, the number of residents who evacuated in advance due to heavy rain nationwide has increased to 7,866 across 90 cities, counties, and districts in 13 provinces. Among them, 6,182 have not yet returned home. Damage to public facilities has been recorded at 149 cases, and damage to private facilities at 124 cases.

Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) has suspended all Mugunghwa and Saemaeul train operations until today. KTX trains are operating only on the Gyeongbu High-Speed Line, Gangneung Line, Jeolla Line, and Honam Line, but delays are occurring on some routes.

This heavy rain, which has caused massive human and property damage, is expected to continue until the 18th. In a weather briefing on the day, the Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted 100 to 250 mm of rain until the 18th in the Chungcheong, Jeolla, Gyeongsang regions, and mountainous areas of Jeju Island. In the Chungcheong region, Jeonbuk, and northern inland Gyeongbuk, rainfall could exceed 300 mm in some areas.

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