Floods in South Korea have caused landmine fears.
South Korea Floods - Landmine Fears
29 July 2011SEOUL - South Korea's Defense Ministry has warned that flood victims may now be exposed to landmines as a result of heavy rainfall in Seoul. The capital saw its heaviest rains since 1998, with rainfall coming in at 12 inches and the death toll standing at 57 people. It is believed that landmines buried on the Wumyeon Mountain in South Seoul may have fallen down mountains eroded by flooding. Other possibly affected areas include military bases in the Gyeonggi and Gangwon Provinces.
57 fatalities have been reported and 12 people remain missing as a result of mud landslides and other flood related accidents. The heavy rains that have been on-going since last Tuesday, have brought Seoul to a standstill with roads being swamped with water, subway stations flooded and business hubs being forced to shut down services. Although the rain has decreased since Thursday, more rain is expected this morning.
Landmines, placed on the Wumyeon mountains which saw deadly landslides on Wednesday with 18 fatalities, may have shifted down the mountain pass. South Korea's Military successfully dug up mines in the area between 1999 and 2006, however 10 landmines remain unaccounted for. Landmine fears have reached high proportions and soldiers have been dispatched to the affected areas with metal detectors in search of deadly mines. Citizens have been urged to report to military bases and avoid touching any suspicious devices that they come across.
Landmines were placed on the Wumyeon mountains upon land invasion threats from neighbouring North Korea. Meanwhile, state run media in North Korea have also reported heavy rainfall damage to buildings, roads and schools.
The heavy rainfall in South Korea has left almost 5,000 people homeless, and has caused electricity outages to more than 125,000 homes throughout the country. No foreign casualties have been reported.
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