85 Deaths and Disappearances from Landslides Over the Last Decade

▲ Landslide (File Photo)

It has been reported that 85 people have died or gone missing due to landslides over the past decade.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on July 3, there were a total of 199 casualties from wind and flood damage during the 10-year period from 2016 to last year.

By disaster type, landslides accounted for the highest number of casualties at 85, or 42.7%, followed by river disasters at 64 (32.2%) and flooding in underground spaces at 37 (18.6%).

In addition, there were 9 casualties from strong winds, 3 from disappearances, and 1 from electric shock.

To manage landslides, which have caused the highest number of casualties, the government designates landslide-prone areas every year.

This year, 34,070 on-site inspections were conducted across 34,072 vulnerable areas, achieving a maintenance completion rate of 99.9%.

Among these, 153 out of 154 locations identified as needing facility repairs or reinforcement have been addressed, and work on the remaining one is scheduled to be completed within this month.

Along with this, the government has continued to implement damage prevention measures, such as conducting 819 evacuation drills for residents living in landslide-prone areas.

President Lee Jae-myung stated at a meeting of senior secretaries yesterday, "As many local governments have seen changes in their heads, there is a risk of negligence in responding to emergency situations, so special attention must be paid." He ordered preemptive inspections of landslide-prone areas, semi-basement housing, aging facilities, and construction sites.

Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung also emphasized on X (formerly Twitter), "We will manage landslide-prone areas, rivers, and underground spaces, where casualties from wind and flood damage are concentrated, even more thoroughly," adding, "There is no such thing as being too careful when it comes to protecting the lives and safety of the public."

※