๐ Geoje Tragedy: Landslide Horror & Rescue ๐ฐ๐ท
August 18, 2026 | Author ABR-INSIGHTS News Hub
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๐Summary
Following torrential rains in South Gyeongsang province, including the southern city of Geoje, a landslide struck an apartment building. As of Tuesday, officials confirmed one fatality and four injuries resulting from the event. Police and firefighters rescued residents, but one individual was pronounced dead at a hospital after cardiac arrest. Across Geoje and nearby cities, two people sustained injuries. A cumulative rainfall of 912mm was recorded by 6pm on Monday, representing a summerโs rainfall in just two days. This extreme weather caused widespread power outages impacting approximately 3,580 homes. Simultaneously, heavy monsoon rains in Manila led to government work suspension and significant flooding, while a separate event in the Philippines resulted in at least 23 fatalities. These combined weather events underscored the devastating impact of extreme rainfall on vulnerable regions.
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THE GEOJE LANDSLIDE CRISIS
The devastating impact of torrential rainfall in South Koreaโs Geoje region has resulted in one fatality and widespread disruption. Beginning Saturday, unprecedented downpours, exceeding 800mm (31 inches) in Geoje alone, triggered a catastrophic landslide against an apartment building. This event, coupled with widespread power outages affecting approximately 3,580 homes and necessitating the evacuation of around 390 individuals, underscores the severity of the weather event and the immediate response efforts underway. The cumulative rainfall total by 6 PM on Monday reached 912mm, highlighting the extraordinary intensity of the storm.
RESPONSE AND RESCUE OPERATIONS
Following the landslide, emergency responders โ including police and firefighters โ swiftly mobilized to rescue residents trapped within the affected apartment building. Three individuals were successfully extracted, but tragically, one was found in cardiac arrest and later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. Furthermore, the stormโs impact extended beyond Geoje, with injuries reported in neighboring cities like Tongyeong and damage occurring in other parts of South Gyeongsang province, receiving between 240mm and 340mm of rain. Prime Minister Han Seong-sook directed all relevant authorities to prioritize rescue efforts, focusing on stranded residents and those at risk, demonstrating the governmentโs commitment to mitigating the crisis. Twelve schools and kindergartens were also flooded, and firefighters responded to over one hundred calls regarding rain-related damage and accidents.
WIDESPREAD IMPACT AND INTERNATIONAL CONCERNS
The extreme weather conditions in South Korea are not isolated. Simultaneously, the Philippines experienced significant monsoon rains, leading to the suspension of government work and a shift to online learning in Manila. Over three weeks of intermittent rainfall, combined with a previous storm, resulted in at least 23 fatalities, primarily due to landslides and floods, impacting approximately 5 million people. Notably, a devastating landslide in Baguio on August 9th claimed ten lives, including children, and prompted extensive rescue operations involving firefighters and rescuers. These events, occurring concurrently, highlight the global impact of extreme weather events and the need for coordinated international disaster response strategies.
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