15 Vehicles Flooded in Osong Underpass... 11 Missing

[Image source=Yonhap News]

One underpass near Osong Station in Chungbuk has been suddenly flooded by rising water, leaving 15 vehicles currently stranded. There are 11 missing persons.

According to the fire authorities on the 15th, at around 8:40 a.m., the second underpass at Gungpyeong, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju City, was suddenly flooded by rising water, trapping buses, trucks, and passenger cars. The fire department rescued 8 people, but one was recovered deceased.

The number of vehicles was determined by checking passing vehicles through CCTV. The fire authorities stated there were 19 vehicles, but the police said 15. Among these, license plates for 11 vehicles were secured, and it is currently estimated that 11 people are missing. Therefore, the possibility of additional casualties appears high.

However, full-scale search operations have not yet begun due to poor visibility. A fire department official said, "We are currently conducting water-blocking construction and drainage work to prevent water from flowing into the stream. Once about 1 meter of space is secured from the ceiling of the underpass, four teams of 12 personnel, including military units and special fire rescue teams, plan to dive and conduct search operations."

The official added, "If the water-blocking construction progresses to some extent and drainage proceeds quickly, we expect to be able to conduct some search operations in about three hours from now, but it is difficult to specify an exact time."

The fire authorities and Chungbuk Province are currently bringing in large ton bags to block the entrances of the underpass. After blocking both sides, drainage work will proceed, and it is estimated that some drainage will be achieved by the early morning of the 16th.