South Korea landslides kill at least 17

Three also missing after heavy rains swept through the capital Seoul and northern town of Chuncheon

At least 17 people have been killed and three are missing after heavy rain triggered landslides through the South Korean capital Seoul and a northern town on Wednesday.

Eight of the 12 killed in the early morning landslide in Chuncheon, about 68 miles (110km) north-east of Seoul, were college students who had been doing volunteer work, said Byun In-soo from the town's fire station. They were staying in a resort cabin when the mud and debris engulfed them.

In Seoul, five people were killed in a landslide, according to a police official in the Bangbae area. The dead have not yet been identified. One child was also missing.

South Korea has been pummelled with strong rain this week. About 15 inches (nearly 400mm) of rain fell in Seoul in just 17 hours starting Tuesday afternoon. More than 10 inches fell on Chuncheon in the past two days.

Weather officials say another 10 inches could fall on Friday in northern area of South Korea, parts of which are already flooded from the rains.


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