Rescuers retrieve eight our bodies from flooded South Korea underpass

The our bodies of eight individuals trapped in a tunnel flooded by heavy rain in central South Korea have been retrieved on Sunday, authorities stated, with the demise toll from days of torrential downpours which have pounded the nation rising to 37.

Web optimization Jeong-il, head of the west Cheongju fireplace station, stated an estimated 15 autos, together with a bus, have been submerged within the underpass within the metropolis shortly after a levee of a close-by river was destroyed by the downpours on Saturday.

A dashcam video confirmed muddy water dashing into the tunnel as a driver manages to exit the underpass, whereas
different CCTV footage aired on native broadcaster MBC confirmed autos driving previous the tunnel with their wheels
submerged.

“Our purpose is to finish the drainage and search operations (right this moment),” Web optimization advised reporters.

The demise toll within the tunnel stands at 9, together with one physique retrieved on Saturday, he stated.

Kong Seong-pyo, a 60-year-old Cheongju resident who often makes use of the underpass, stated the federal government ought to have restricted entry to the tunnel when flooding was anticipated.

“I’d have additionally died if I have been submerged. I’ve no phrases to precise this irritating feeling,” Kong advised
Reuters.

The Ministry of Inside and Security stated 9 individuals have been lacking throughout the nation as of 6 p.m. as heavy downpours brought about landslides and floods, with evacuation orders protecting 8,852 individuals.

The ministry information doesn’t embody these within the flooded tunnel as a result of it was not instantly clear how many individuals have been trapped underwater.

The most recent catastrophe came about regardless of South Korea’s vow to step up preparedness in opposition to torrential rains after Seoul was hit final 12 months with floods brought on by the heaviest downpours in 115 years, inundating basement flats in low-lying neighborhoods, together with within the largely prosperous Gangnam district.

A North Chungcheong province official stated the levee unexpectedly collapsed earlier than the precipitation reached the extent required for proscribing entry to the tunnel.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, now on an abroad journey, convened a video-linked response assembly and stated some areas had didn’t take preemptive measures in opposition to the acute climate.

Yoon ordered Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to mobilise all obtainable assets to minimise casualties and urged the climate company to shortly launch forecasts as a result of extra heavy rain was anticipated within the coming days, his workplace stated.

The Korea Meteorological Administration stated the central and southern components of the nation may obtain as a lot as 12 inches of further rain by Tuesday.

Whereas South Korea usually experiences heavy rains in summer season, it has witnessed a pointy improve in torrential rains lately.

Korea Railroad Corp has halted all sluggish trains and a few bullet trains since Saturday attributable to security issues over landslides, observe flooding and falling rocks.