Two More Bodies Recovered on the Afternoon of the 16th
High Flooding Risk but No Vehicle Restrictions Implemented
On the 16th, 119 rescue workers are recovering a missing person found deceased in the flooded Gungpyeong 2 Underpass in Osong-eup, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk. (Photo by Yonhap News)
The number of deaths from the flooding accident in the underground passage in Osong, Chungbuk, has risen to 9.
According to the fire authorities on the 16th, as of 2 p.m. that day, rescue operations were underway at the site of the underground passage flooding accident, and the number of deaths increased to 9. By the morning of that day, 7 missing persons had been found, and 2 missing persons were recovered at 12:03 p.m. and 1:43 p.m., respectively.
At around 8:40 a.m. on the 15th, water poured into the Gungpyeong 2 underground passage in Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, flooding 15 vehicles. Due to heavy rain, the river water level rose sharply, and the embankment of Miho River collapsed, causing river water to pour into the underground road. Within 2 to 3 minutes, about 60,000 tons of water filled the 430-meter underground passage tunnel.
In particular, the Gungpyeong 2 underground passage where the accident occurred is only 600 meters in a straight line from Mihocheon Bridge, about 200 meters from the nearby embankment, and the elevation is lower than the surrounding rice fields. Despite being a road with a high possibility of flooding accidents, there was no traffic control, leading to criticism that this was a man-made disaster.
A flood warning was issued for Miho River at 4:10 a.m. that day. The administrative authorities did not implement vehicle control for more than 4 hours and 30 minutes after the flood warning was issued. Although there was a drainage pump in the underground passage, it was practically useless as the power distribution room was submerged.
Due to the heavy rain, the river water level rose sharply and reached a 'severe' level at 6:30 a.m. The Geumgang Flood Control Office informed the local district office that traffic control was necessary, but the administrative authorities took no special measures, making it difficult for them to avoid responsibility.
At around 8:45 a.m., the fire authorities received a report and rescued 9 people including Mr. B over about an hour, and found 1 deceased person. At around 10:20 a.m., they requested support from the Central Rescue Headquarters and began victim rescue and search operations. About 390 personnel including firefighters, soldiers, and police were mobilized for the rescue and search.
As the collapsed embankment was restored and the rain subsided, four divers began searching at around 5:55 a.m. on the 16th, 21 hours after the accident occurred. They recovered 5 bodies from the submerged city bus and later recovered 3 additional bodies. As of 2 p.m. that day, a total of 8 bodies had been recovered.
The police have reported a total of 11 missing persons. If additional unreported victims are found, the scale of casualties could increase further.
According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), from the 9th to 11 a.m. on the 16th, the death toll from the heavy rain was 33, with 10 missing and 22 injured.
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