South Korean man drowns in flood after telling wife on phone: ‘car being swept away’
Intense rainfall has battered South Korea in recent years, prompting questions about its flood prevention measures
Rescue personnel discovered the victim, in his 50s, in the South Chungcheong province of Seosan at 6.15am local time. He was later declared dead at a nearby medical centre, the Korea Herald reported.
Authorities also responded to other reports of submerged cars in the area, rescuing three people from one vehicle shortly before the dead man was found.
The victim reportedly called his wife and told her: “The car is being swept away.”
The province had recorded up to 114.9mm of rain per hour between Wednesday and Thursday, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration, which said the mark was a “once-in-a-century” record for the month of July.
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