Governor Park Wansu Visits Sancheong: "Mobilize All Available Personnel and Equipment for Rescue"

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, urgently visited the site of a landslide in Sancheong-gun on July 19, where casualties occurred due to consecutive days of heavy rainfall, and called for a swift search and rescue operation for the missing persons.

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is visiting the site in Sancheong-eup, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam, where a landslide occurred due to heavy rain, and is speaking with fire department officials. Photo by Gyeongnam Province

Governor Park stated, "The top priority is a rapid search and evacuation of residents," and instructed, "Mobilize all available personnel and equipment, including public officials and firefighters, to focus on rescuing lives."

He further emphasized, "There must be no negligence in on-site response to protect the lives and safety of residents," and added, "Remain vigilant until the search for the missing and the evacuation are completed, and ensure that all departments cooperate to enable a prompt recovery of damages afterward."

A landslide caused by heavy rain occurred near Buri Village, Sancheong-eup, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam, resulting in a flow of soil and debris. Photo by Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters

Over the past three days, Sancheong-gun has experienced a record-breaking 760mm of torrential rain, resulting in a series of incidents such as landslides and power outages.

So far, soil and debris from the landslide have covered houses and other structures, resulting in four deaths. Three people have been transported in cardiac arrest, and two are missing, with fire authorities currently conducting search and rescue operations for the missing individuals.

The fire authorities have issued a National Fire Mobilization Order, and Sancheong-gun has declared an unprecedented emergency evacuation order for all residents.

Gyeongnam Province has elevated and is maintaining its disaster safety emergency response system at Level 3.

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is presiding over an emergency meeting of the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters related to the heavy rain warning. Provided by Gyeongnam Province

Earlier in the day, Governor Park instructed provincial office directors to conduct on-site inspections focusing on disaster-prone areas in their respective cities and counties.

He said, "Please ensure thorough preemptive evacuation, especially in vulnerable areas such as riversides, landslide-prone zones, and underground spaces, to prevent any casualties from sudden downpours."

In an emergency meeting of the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, he also remarked, "Localized torrential rains are causing greater damage than expected," and stressed, "We need flexible and proactive measures that go beyond the existing response methods."

He continued, "Although weather forecasting is difficult, rapid evacuation and advance notification according to forecasts are most important. In particular, for areas urgently requiring equipment or personnel, take immediate action in consultation with the provincial disaster headquarters. When lifting road closures, fully consider weather conditions to prevent secondary damage."

He also stated, "Inspect the drainage conditions of reservoirs and check for aging drainage facilities such as pumps, and consider replacements if necessary. For facility-grown crops such as strawberries, which are difficult to recover, prepare countermeasures in cooperation with city and county authorities."

Additionally, he acknowledged, "Public officials have been working hard day after day," and said, "Once the situation stabilizes in affected areas, on-site verification and follow-up measures are important. Do not let your guard down and do your utmost to protect the lives and property of residents."