A handout photo made available by the National Fire Agency (NFA) of South Korea shows emergency workers searching for survivors after heavy rains hit Osong-city in Chungcheongbuk-do Province, South Korea, 16 July 2023. EFE-EPA/National Fire Agency of South Korea HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

A handout photo made available by the National Fire Agency (NFA) of South Korea shows emergency workers searching for survivors after heavy rains hit Osong-city in Chungcheongbuk-do Province, South Korea, 16 July 2023. EFE-EPA/National Fire Agency of South Korea HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

Death toll from heavy rains in South Korea rises to 37

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Seoul, July 16 (EFE).- The floods and landslides caused by the heavy rains in South Korea have claimed 37 lives amid fears that the death toll may increase as many people remain trapped inside a flooded tunnel.

A handout photo made available by the National Fire Agency (NFA) of South Korea shows an emergency worker searching for survivors after heavy rains hit Yecheon county in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, South Korea, 16 July 2023. EFE-EPA/National Fire Agency of South Korea HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

The disaster management agency said more than 6,000 were in evacuation shelters in different parts of the country.

Some 500 soldiers are conducting searches for the missing and extending assistance to the survivors.

The worst-affected areas, since the monsoon season began three weeks ago, have been the center and south of the country, which received up to 40 percent more rainfall compared to the average in recent years.

A handout photo made available by the National Fire Agency (NFA) of South Korea showss emergency workers searching for survivors after heavy rains hit Yecheon county in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, South Korea, 16 July 2023. EFE-EPA/National Fire Agency of South Korea HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

The North Gyeongsang province in the country’s east was the worst-affected, with 17 people killed there due to landslides, and nine are still reported missing.

Water from an overflowing river on Saturday suddenly flooded a tunnel, trapping around 15 vehicles inside, in Cheongju, around 100 km south of Seoul.

On Sunday, firefighters found 10 more bodies inside a bus stuck in the passage, a day after the first victim was found in the 685-meter-long underground tunnel.

A handout photo made available by the Gyeongsangbuk-do Fire Service Headquarters, shows South Korean emergency workers searching for survivors after heavy rains hit the Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, South Korea, 15 July 2023. EFE-EPA/Gyeongsangbuk-do Fire Service / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

The number of deaths could rise further as many people are believed to be inside vehicles that are trapped inside.

Authorities fear there may be more victims inside the tunnel as several people are believed to be in the vehicles stuck in the tube.

Rains have cut off 216 roads across South Korea, while a majority of inter-city and long-distance train services remain suspended, except for a few high-speed trains.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) has issued the highest alert for rainfall throughout the country, with a particular warning for the central and southwestern regions.

The weather department has warned that heavy precipitation will continue until Wednesday. EFE

Additionally, almost 20,000 hectares of agricultural land have been inundated, and more than half a million farm animals, mainly birds, have died due to the floods, according to the agricultural ministry. EFE

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