3,000 Stranded as Typhoon-Level Winds Disrupt Jeju Airport

[Anchor]

While most of the country is grappling with a heatwave, Jeju Island has been hit by typhoon-level strong winds. More than 100 flights were canceled in a mass disruption this morning alone, leaving tourists who visited the island for the weekend stranded and frustrated.

JIBS reporter Kim Jae-yeon has the details.

[Reporter]

The airport terminal is packed with no room to move.

This is due to a series of flight cancellations caused by strong winds blowing at speeds exceeding 20 meters per second.

Long queues stretching dozens of meters have formed in front of airline counters, and some passengers have even settled on the floor to wait.

The airport terminal is experiencing significant congestion as passengers remain stranded following the mass flight cancellations caused by the strong winds that swept through Jeju.

[Kim Seon-mi / Seongdong-gu, Seoul: Since tomorrow is a weekday, I have to go to work and my children need to go to kindergarten. It is frustrating because our schedule has been severely disrupted.]

[Shin Sang-seop / Seo-gu, Incheon: There is no way to leave if there are no ships or flights. Ultimately, we have to stay on Jeju Island, but I don't think I can even find accommodation, and I have already returned my rental car, so it is quite bewildering.]

With wind shear and strong wind warnings issued simultaneously, over 100 flights were canceled this morning alone, and some aircraft were forced to turn back without landing in Jeju.

As the number of passengers with reservations on canceled flights exceeded 3,000, a caution level for supporting stranded travelers was issued.

High seas warnings have also been issued due to strong winds and high waves, leading to the suspension of some ferry services.

Damage to facilities has also been reported. Trees were toppled by the strong winds, and road structures were uprooted, leading to approximately 30 safety measures taken across the island.

The Korea Meteorological Administration stated that very strong winds of around 20 meters per second are expected to continue for the time being, and urged the public to check flight information in advance and remain cautious regarding potential damage to facilities.

(Video by Kang Myeong-cheol, JIBS)

Reported by Kim Jae-yeon, JIBS
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.