The tunnel filled with water - several dead

 

South Korea  

The death toll rises in South Korea – several dead in flooded tunnel  

 

Niklas Gustafsson  

 

Updated 07:24 | Published at 07:06  

 

News  

 

The death toll continues to rise in South Korea after the floods and landslides that hit the country. 

 

Seven people have been found dead in a flooded tunnel and in total over 30 people have been found dead. 

 

- We continue to search because there are probably more people in the tunnel, says the local fire chief. Heavy downpours have caused landslides and floods in South Korea.  

 

Almost 7,000 people have been evacuated according to the local authorities. Several houses have been destroyed and a large number of households have been without power during the week, reports Reuters.  

As a result of the heavy rains, flights and train services have also been cancelled. More than 30 people have died and the number is expected to rise on Sunday, when continued heavy rains are expected on the Korean peninsula, according to the country's metrological institute. 

 

  

1 / 2Photo: AP  

 

Trapped in road tunnel  

 

In the central parts of the country, a tunnel was flooded on Saturday. Around 15 vehicles are said to have been stuck in the road tunnel and seven people have been found dead.  

 

Several people are said to have also been rescued from the 430 meter long road tunnel. Around 400 rescue workers have been involved in the work.  

 

According to the South Korean Ministry of the Interior, it is still unclear how many more are trapped in the tunnel. 

 

- We continue to search because there are probably more people in the tunnel, local fire chief Seo Jeong-il told Reuters.  

 

The threat from the north  

 

The heavy rains have also affected North  Korea, which may result in the country choosing to open dam locks on the rivers that flow across the border with South Korea. 

 

- We must prepare for the possibility that North Korea may release water from the Hwanggang Dam, said South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.  

 

Similar dam openings by North Korea have previously resulted in high water flows in South Korea with floods and deaths as a result. 

 

Photo: Kim Ju