News
4 dead in South Korea following 2nd day of heavy snowfall
Over a hundred flights, both international and domestic, were also cancelled.
November 28, 2024, 06:18 PM
At least four were reported dead as South Korea was hit with a second day of heavy snowfall on Nov. 28, as the unprecedented weather conditions led to traffic accidents and structures collapsing.
Heavy snow warnings appeared to have lifted in most areas.
Flights, subway lines, and ferry operations experienced delays or cancellations as they grappled with the heaviest November snowfall in Seoul since recordings began in 1907, according to Yonhap News Agency.
A heavy snow advisory was issued in all of Seoul, as well as in neighbouring Gangwon Province to the east of Seoul.
The South Korean news outlet also reported that up to 40 centimetres of snowfall were seen in parts of Seoul, with snowfall at the Gwanak district in southern Seoul reaching 40.2 cm.
This was almost double what was recorded the day prior.
Four dead and many injured
A 78-year-old man died on the morning of Nov. 27 after a tent-style garage collapsed while he was removing snow from its roof, Korea JoongAng Daily reported.
Two passed away in separate road traffic accidents on the same day. One involved a five-vehicle collision that also resulted in two suffering severe injuries, and four with minor injuries.
One person died after a net at a golf range collapsed under the weight of the snow, with another two left injured, Reuters reported.
There was also a 53-vehicle crash with 11 injured in the eastern city of Wonju, Yonhap News Agency stated, with icy roads suspected as a possible cause of the accident.
Over a hundred flights, both international and domestic, were cancelled.
Subway services were delayed as railroad employees removed snow and fallen branches from the tracks.
First snowfall of the season on Nov. 27
Citizens of Seoul woke up to the first snowfall of the season on Nov. 27.
By 7am, Seoul was blanketed under a record-breaking 16.5cm of snow, said the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).
The last snowfall that had even come close was way back in November 1972, which saw the city covered in 12.4cm of snow.
Measurements taken at 7am showed that Seongbuk and Gangbuk in the city's north were buried under 20.6cm and 20.4cm of snow respectively.
A heavy snow warning was issued in the northeastern districts and mountainous areas, according to local media.
Top image via @miimiicookies/X and Ruth Chai/Mothership
