Severe Flooding in Gapyeong Claims Lives and Leaves Residents Missing

On the morning of July 20, 2025, heavy rainfall in Gapyeong, South Korea, resulted in tragic consequences, including the deaths of two individuals and five others reported missing. According to the Gyeonggi Province Disaster Response Headquarters, at approximately 4:30 AM, an 80-year-old resident, identified as Mr. Lee (이모), was swept away by strong currents in the Daebo area of Jojong-myeon. He had been trying to evacuate with his family after a flood warning was issued for the Daebo Bridge area, but became trapped by rising waters. While his family managed to escape, Mr. Lee did not. Authorities have confirmed that four other residents are also missing: two from Jojong-myeon and one each from Sang-myeon and Buk-myeon. The circumstances surrounding their disappearances remain unclear, and search efforts by police and firefighters are ongoing, hampered by the swollen river.

A flood warning was issued at 2:40 AM, and by 3:20 AM, water levels had risen to 9.2 meters, surpassing the 'serious' threshold of 6.4 meters, leading to the overflow of the Jojong River. In response, Gapyeong County ordered the evacuation of 15 households in the Daebo Bridge area to higher ground.

At around 4:37 AM, a landslide occurred in Shin-sang-ri, Jojong-myeon, causing three houses to collapse. Four residents were trapped, resulting in the death of a woman in her 70s, while three others were rescued. Additionally, at 4:58 AM, a report was received from a pension in Jojong-myeon about a guest who had gone out to move a car and lost contact. Police confirmed that the individual was rescued at the scene.

By 6:14 AM, it was reported that a man in his 40s had also been swept away by the current at the Daebo Bridge in Sang-myeon. During the early hours of the morning, police received a total of 126 reports related to landslides, missing persons, flooding, road inundation, and river overflow. The Northern Gyeonggi Police have declared a disaster emergency and are on standby, mobilizing up to 50% of available personnel, while the Gapyeong Police have also activated their emergency response.

A representative from the Gyeonggi Province Disaster Response Headquarters stated that communication and power outages in various areas are complicating rescue efforts.

In the early hours, Gapyeong experienced rainfall of up to 76 mm per hour, with a total accumulation of 197.5 mm recorded by 9:30 AM. The heavy rain warning has since been lifted.