Drifted by waves in Busan and missing in Ulsan river... Typhoon Hinnamnor approaches, damage reports increase

A YouTuber is being swept away by waves while live streaming the Typhoon Hinnamnor situation, then pushed across the road. [Image source=Online Community]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] As Typhoon Hinnamnor made landfall on the coast of Geoje, Gyeongnam at around 4:50 a.m. on the 6th, bringing strong rain and wind, a series of accidents occurred, including a man in his 20s going missing after falling into the water in Ulsan and a YouTuber being swept away by waves during a live broadcast.

According to the Busan Police Agency and Fire Headquarters on the 6th, a report was received on the evening of the 5th, the day before the typhoon's arrival, at around 11:40 p.m. near the Marine City breakwater in U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, that YouTuber A was live streaming the typhoon waves on camera.

A, holding a selfie stick with a camera, was broadcasting near the breakwater when he was swept away by a wave the size of a house and pushed about 10 meters across the road.

Fortunately, there were no vehicles on the road at the time, so A was not seriously injured. The police moved A to a safe location.

At around 1 a.m. on the 6th, a report was received that a man in his 20s, B, went missing after falling into the water at Taehwa River in Ulsan, prompting firefighters and police to begin a search.

According to the police and fire authorities, B is known to have fallen into the water near Namcheon Bridge in Eonyang-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan.

The police are investigating the circumstances of the accident, believing that B suddenly fell into the swollen river while wading with six peers.

About 50 personnel from the fire and police departments are searching for B, focusing on the downstream area of the river.

However, as the river water has risen and the current has become faster, the search operation is reported to be difficult.

As Hinnamnor made landfall in Geoje, Gyeongnam, heavy rain and strong winds intensified, causing various damages in Busan.

The street trees in front of the road at an apartment in Namcheon-dong, Busan, have been uprooted by strong winds. [Image source=Busan Police Agency]

Street trees in Noksan Industrial Complex, Gangseo-gu, Busan, have been uprooted by strong winds. [Image source=Busan Police Agency]

As of 7 a.m. on the 6th, according to the Busan Police Agency and Fire Headquarters, a total of 58 safety measures were taken in Busan due to typhoon damage. A total of 132 112 emergency calls were received. Among them, 25 reports were related to traffic signal malfunctions caused by strong winds.

At 12:13 a.m., a store door in Busanjin-gu was damaged, and firefighters took safety measures. At 12:31 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to inspect a building in Goejeong-dong, Saha-gu, where solar panels were at risk of falling.

At 3:41 a.m., a public phone booth in front of Buam Police Substation in Buam-dong, Busanjin-gu, was damaged by strong rain and wind.

As of 6 a.m. on the 6th, no casualties due to typhoon damage have been reported.

A typhoon advisory was issued in Busan from 7 p.m. the previous day and was replaced by a typhoon warning at 11 p.m.

At around 6:30 a.m. on the day, a landslide advisory was issued for the Hwamyung-dong area in Buk-gu, Busan. Earlier, at 5:20 a.m., the Buk-gu Office issued a landslide advisory for the Geumgok-dong area and sent safety text messages urging residents near forested areas to be cautious of safety accidents.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters warned that damage from storm surges is expected as the typhoon approaches and coincides with high tide, recommending evacuation for residents in low-lying coastal areas.

Busan fire authorities are maintaining the highest emergency level, stage 3, and are inspecting typhoon-vulnerable areas while operating a dedicated situation management team and an emergency dispatch standby squad in preparation.