evacuation
Rescuers raced against rapidly rising floodwaters after a nights-long downpour and dangerous currents trapped people in a 430-meter underground tunnel in Cheongju, located in North Chungcheong Province. The disaster response teams expanded their search as water levels proved stubbornly high, complicating access and limiting rescue options. A large number of locals had already escaped to higher ground, while others remained waiting for the rescue of those still inside. Observers noted that the scene was chaotic, with rescuers moving by boat as river tides surged near the tunnel entrance. The effort continued through the day as authorities coordinated boats, divers, and emergency personnel to reach those in need. (attribution: Yonhap)
In the early stages of the incident, five people were saved from a nearby bus, and more bodies were recovered from the tunnel and the surrounding area over the course of the day. Divers pressed forward around the clock, as officials confirmed a rising death toll and ongoing searches for additional missing persons. The exact number of people inside each vehicle remained unclear as investigators cross-checked passenger lists and bus routing data. (attribution: Yonhap)
Television footage from local broadcasters showed rescuers battling swift currents, using boats to navigate waterlogged roadways near the tunnel. The floodwaters originated from a river that overflowed its banks, spilling into surrounding streets and complicating the location of survivors. (attribution: Yonhap)
Meanwhile, the national response was coordinated at a high level. President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was traveling overseas, convened an emergency meeting with aides to review government readiness and the deployment of resources to limit casualties. Officials indicated that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo had been instructed to mobilize all available means to support rescue operations and protect residents in affected regions. (attribution: Yonhap)
One rescue worker described the scale of the damage in the hardest-hit neighborhoods, noting that many homes had been swept away by the force of the floodwaters. Across Goesan County, authorities ordered the evacuation of more than 6,400 residents as authorities warned that dam reservoirs could reach critical levels. The situation prompted rapid shelter planning and the distribution of essential supplies to communities at risk. (attribution: Yonhap)
Rail services were disrupted by the heavy rain, with travel halted from early afternoon except for high-speed trains, which were kept running with possible timetable adjustments while restoration work proceeded. Officials from the national rail authority stated that service interruptions would continue until it was safe to resume normal schedules. (attribution: Yonhap)
South Korea finds itself in the middle of the annual summer monsoon season, a period traditionally marked by intense rainfall and flash floods. Over several days, persistent downpours overwhelmed drainage systems and challenged infrastructure across multiple provinces, prompting widespread emergency responses and road closures. A major dam in the region reported concerns about overflow, prompting authorities to issue warnings and implement containment measures to protect nearby towns and residents. (attribution: Yonhap)
The Interior Ministry released official casualty figures, confirming dozens of lives lost and a continuing search for missing persons in the aftermath of the floods. While most fatalities were concentrated in the North Gyeongsang region, agencies across the country coordinated in a large-scale effort to identify victims, locate missing individuals, and provide assistance to affected families. (attribution: Yonhap)