Seven hikers rescued from rising waters in South Korean valley

Seven hikers found themselves in a perilous situation after being stranded by rapidly rising waters in a valley near Baengdamsa Temple in Inje, Gangwon Province. The incident occurred on the morning of August 8 when the group, who were enjoying the scenic valley in Yongdae-ri, northern Inje, were caught off guard by a sudden surge in the water level.

Emergency services received the distress call around 8:58 a.m. The fire department responded promptly, arriving at the scene by 9:18 a.m. A rescue operation was launched, involving 30 personnel and nine pieces of equipment. Rescuers utilized a boat, deploying it after establishing a horizontal rope system to ensure safety.

Approximately one hour and 40 minutes after the initial report, all seven stranded individuals were successfully rescued. The swift response and coordinated efforts of the rescue team prevented any casualties. Officials noted that heavy rainfall, with intensities of 30 to 50 millimeters per hour, was recorded in the mountainous areas and along the eastern coast of Gangwon Province on the same day. They cautioned the public to exercise extreme care near valleys and rivers, as sudden downpours can cause water levels to rise dramatically, and advised seeking safe locations if the sky darkens abruptly.

“

Short-term heavy rainfall can cause water levels in valleys and rivers to rise suddenly, so please refrain from approaching or camping, and move to a safe place if the sky suddenly darkens.