10 dead, several missing after Typhoon Mitag lashes S. Korea

[soryang]

Straits Times OCT 4, 2019, 5:00 AM SGT

BUSAN (South Korea) • At least 10 people have been killed and several others are missing after Typhoon Mitag lashed South Korea with heavy rain and strong winds, the authorities said yesterday.

The fierce storm hit southern parts of the country on Wednesday night, prompting flood warnings and triggering landslides in affected areas.

A total of 10 people had been found dead across the country as of yesterday, the Ministry of Interior and Safety said, but the toll was expected to rise, with several people missing.

A woman in her 60s was found dead after her home was buried in a landslide in the southern port city of Busan and about 600 rescue workers were trying to locate three others believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.

Mr Park Young-hak was inside his tool shed - later buried in the landslide - and said he escaped after hearing a loud "roar".

"When I ran out to see what it was, the house next to me had already disappeared," Mr Park said.

More than 1,000 homes were damaged and over 1,500 people evacuated their houses in advance, the ministry said.

More including expected impact on Japan:

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/10-dead-several-missing-after-typhoon-mitag-lashes-s-korea

Recovering from the impact of the storm is still in the early stages and will present challenges to South Korea as it copes with a swine flu outbreak in the north and political instability in the capital Seoul. State disaster response is regarded as an essential ingredient in government competence and political stability in South Korea. The storm was characterized by serious flooding and deadly landslides in the southern part of South Korea. These damages are in addition to damages from typhoon Tapah just two weeks ago. Dead vs. missing numbers vary in news reports.

[soryang]

1. unfortunately, KBS is now reporting 12 dead, and three still missing.

2,000 structures were said to be damaged. The prime minister was touring the region and speaking to locals about what specific support and items they need. He went back to Seoul to confer with the cabinet.