Wall Cracks and Fence Damage... Over 500 Cases of Earthquake Damage in Buan

Over 500 Earthquake Damage Cases Reported in Buan
19 Aftershocks Occurred

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The damage caused by the magnitude 4.8 earthquake that occurred on the 12th in Haengan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeonbuk, has exceeded 500 cases.

According to Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province on the 15th, as of 8 a.m. that day, a total of 506 earthquake damage reports were received throughout the province. This is an increase of 40 cases from 466 cases as of 6 p.m. the previous day. By region, there were 406 cases in Buan, 31 cases each in Jeongeup and Gimje, 11 cases in Gunsan, 10 cases in Gochang, 8 cases in Jeonju, and 3 cases each in Sunchang, Wanju, and Iksan.

Cracks in warehouse walls, leaning fences, and raised parking lot floors were the main types of damage, and damage to national heritage sites was also investigated in 6 cases. The province explained that a newly constructed building crack report at Wolmyeongam (月明庵) in Buan, founded by the Unified Silla period monk Buseol, was initially classified as national heritage damage but was later excluded from this classification after internal discussions.

Aftershocks increased from 17 to 19 cases. It was confirmed that an aftershock of magnitude 0.4 occurred at 5:35 a.m. on the same day, 4 km south-southwest of Buan-gun where the main earthquake occurred, and an aftershock of magnitude 0.6 occurred at the same location at 10:27 p.m. the previous day.

Jeonbuk Self-Governing Province is maintaining an emergency level and staying vigilant following expert analysis that a large aftershock could occur within a week. A Jeonbuk Self-Governing Province official said, "As we continue to receive earthquake damage reports, we are promoting guidelines for residents' actions in case of aftershocks," adding, "Once the damage amount is calculated, we will establish a recovery plan."