[Anchor]
Now let's go live to the scene of the landslide in Geoje, where one resident was killed and two others were injured. Reporter Kim su-yun is at the apartment complex struck by the landslide.
Reporter Kim, it looks like the mud and debris are still piled up right behind you. How are the recovery efforts progressing?
[Reporter]
I am here at the apartment complex in Okpo-dong, Geoje, which was struck by a landslide early this morning.
The rain that fell throughout the day has eased up for now.
Right after the accident, excavators were deployed to the scene to clear away the soil that collapsed from the mountain behind the complex.
The landslide caused major damage to three apartment buildings and vehicles parked on the ground level. However, in the building where mud tore through the first floor leaving three residents dead or injured, recovery work has not taken place following the rescue operation due to fears of further landslides.
Various household items and structures are still scattered all over the site.
Recovery efforts are currently focused on the ground-level parking lot and the other two apartment buildings.
[Anchor]
Given the heavy rainfall in Geoje, additional landslides are definitely a concern. Have the residents evacuated safely?
[Reporter]
Yes, the city of Geoje issued evacuation orders for some 350 residents across approximately 240 households in five apartment buildings facing potential risks of further damage.
Residents staying at shelters set up in nearby elementary schools and other facilities are spending anxious moments, continually checking weather updates on their mobile phones.
[Ahn Jae-hwi / Evacuated Resident: We can go back home once it is determined to be safe, but until then, I don't think we'll be able to go inside. It's devastating. I've never seen anything like this in my life. For something I only used to see on the news to happen right to our home...]
With record-breaking downpours pouring not only here in Geoje but also in Tongyeong and Sacheon, causing flooding and isolation in various areas, it is estimated that some 360 residents have evacuated.
As the continuous rain delays recovery efforts, the National Fire Agency issued its third national firefighting mobilization order for Geoje and Tongyeong a short while ago.
With more rain forecast through tomorrow, local governments in South Gyeongsang Province, including Geoje, have urged citizens to refrain from going out and to exercise caution for their safety.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
Reported by Jung Kyeong-moon | Video by Chae Chul-ho
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