9 bodies pulled from a flooded road tunnel in South Korea as rains cause flash floods and landslides

By TONG-HYUNG KIM
Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean rescuers have pulled nine bodies from a flooded tunnel where around 15 vehicles were trapped in muddy water, as days of heavy rain triggered flash floods and landslides and destroyed homes across the country. A total of 37 people have died and thousands have been evacuated since July 9, when heavy rain started pounding South Korea’s central regions. Nearly 900 rescuers including divers are searching the tunnel in the central city of Cheongju, where the vehicles, including a bus, were swamped by a flash flood Saturday evening. Fire officials estimate the tunnel filled with water in two or three minutes. Nine survivors were rescued and around 10 others are believed to be missing based on reports by families or others.