Heavy Snow Continues for Two Days in Gwangju and Jeonnam... Multiple Crashes on Icy Roads

A 25-ton tanker truck overturned past the Jangheung Tollgate on the Namhae Expressway in Jangheung County, heading toward Gangjin. / Photo by Jeonnam Fire Department

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] As heavy snow continues for the second day in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions, numerous accidents have occurred, including vehicles slipping on icy roads and falling into reservoirs or overturning.

According to the Jeonnam Fire Headquarters on the 23rd, a report was received at around 8:48 a.m. that a 25-ton tanker truck overturned past the Jangheung Tollgate on the Namhae Expressway heading toward Gangjin in Jangheung County.

It is known that the tanker slipped on the snowy road, collided with the guardrail, and the tank part detached, causing it to overturn. The driver reportedly sustained relatively minor injuries.

Vehicle rollover accidents also occurred in Haenam and Jangseong, and there were multiple fall accidents in various locations.

At around 4:40 p.m. the previous day, a vehicle fell into a reservoir on a road in Samho-eup, Yeongam County. The driver was transported to a nearby hospital but died.

In Sanjeong-dong, Mokpo City, a kindergarten bus slipped on the snowy road, and reports of vehicle skidding were received from various locations.

In Gwangju, at around 10:20 a.m. on the same day, a vehicle failed to climb a slope on a road in Hwajeong-dong, Seo-gu, causing traffic congestion. The police took safety measures, but slipping and fall accidents continued without pause.

As of 11 a.m. on the day, a heavy snow warning has been issued for Gwangju and Jeonnam regions including Jangseong, Suncheon, Gokseong, Jangheung, Yeongam, Naju, Hwasun, and Damyang; Jeonbuk regions including Gochang, Wanju, Iksan, Jeonju, Namwon, Buan, Gunsan, Gimje, Imsil, Sunchang, and Jeongeup; and the mountainous areas of Jeju Island, including central southern and northern central parts.

A heavy snow advisory has been issued for Jeonnam regions including Gwangyang, Goheung, Boseong, Gurye, Gangjin, Haenam, Wando, Muan, Hampyeong, Yeonggwang, Mokpo, Sinan (excluding Heuksan-myeon), Jindo, Heuksando, and Hongdo; Jeonbuk regions including Jinan, Muju, and Jangsu; and Jeju Island's western, southern, northern, eastern parts, and Chuja Island.

So far, the snowfall amounts are 57.2 cm in Gangjin-myeon (Imsil), 55.6 cm in Bokheung (Sunchang), 33.8 cm in Jeongeup, 24.4 cm in Gunsan, 23.8 cm in Damyang, 26.5 cm in Gwangju, and 13.6 cm in Jeonju.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts that strong snow falling at a rate of 3 to 5 cm per hour will continue intermittently until the morning of the 24th, with some areas experiencing thunder and lightning accompanied by gusty winds.