South Korean floods and landslides leave at least 14 dead and 12 missing

Seoul: Severe flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains across South Korea over the past four days have resulted in at least 14 fatalities and 12 individuals reported missing,  state news agency Yonhap.

Most of the casualties occurred in Sancheong County in the south, where six people lost their lives and seven remain unaccounted for. Additionally, a landslide in Gapyeong led to the collapse of three houses, burying four residents and leaving six people missing.

Recent incidents include the discovery of three bodies in a submerged vehicle and the death of a person after a retaining wall collapsed in Osan, south of Seoul.

Currently, approximately 3,840 residents have been evacuated from their homes due to rising floodwaters.

The heavy rains, which have dumped between 600 to 800 millimetres of rainfall in southern regions since Wednesday, are expected to be followed by a heat wave, according to the country’s weather forecasters. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and assess ongoing risks posed by the severe weather conditions.