▲ Mud, trees, and a collapsed safety fence are seen following a landslide in a residential area in Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do, on the morning of the 17th.
Prime Minister Han Sung-sook issued an urgent directive on the 17th following heavy rain damage in regions including Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do, instructing relevant agencies such as the National Fire Agency, the Korean National Police Agency, and local governments to mobilize all available personnel and equipment to focus on saving lives, including evacuating trapped residents.
Prime Minister Han urged officials to do their utmost in relief support, such as operating temporary shelters so that evacuees experience no inconvenience, and called on authorities to maintain an emergency duty posture to ensure flawless management.
She also added that thorough precautions must be taken to ensure safety and prevent secondary accidents during rescue operations by firefighters in the field.
According to fire authorities and other sources, a landslide occurred near an apartment complex in Okpo-dong, Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do, at around 4:42 a.m. that day, burying the first floor of the apartment building.
Two residents were rescued and one person was found dead.
More than 20 calls to 119 requesting rescue were received from trapped houses and vehicles.
Geoje has received over 700mm of torrential rain during the three-day Liberation Day holiday.
(Photo provided by Gyeongsangnam-do Fire Headquarters, Yonhap News)
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