Tropical Depression Dumps Heavy Rain in Southern South Korea and Seoul Area 

People walk across a crosswalk in downtown Seoul on a rainy morning, South Korea 21 August 2024, following the arrival of the weakened Typhoon Jongdari. (EPA/Yonhap)
People walk across a crosswalk in downtown Seoul on a rainy morning, South Korea 21 August 2024, following the arrival of the weakened Typhoon Jongdari. (EPA/Yonhap)
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Tropical Depression Dumps Heavy Rain in Southern South Korea and Seoul Area 

People walk across a crosswalk in downtown Seoul on a rainy morning, South Korea 21 August 2024, following the arrival of the weakened Typhoon Jongdari. (EPA/Yonhap)
People walk across a crosswalk in downtown Seoul on a rainy morning, South Korea 21 August 2024, following the arrival of the weakened Typhoon Jongdari. (EPA/Yonhap)

A tropical depression dumped heavy rain in southern South Korea and the populous Seoul region Wednesday after weakening from a tropical storm.

Some southern parts of the mainland and the island of Jeju recorded 10 to 17 centimeters (3.9 to 6.6 inches) of rain. Some areas in the capital region saw 10 to 12 centimeters (3.9 to 4.7 inches) of rain Wednesday.

The depression that was once Tropical Storm Jongdari made landfall Wednesday morning, and South Korea’s weather agency said the system was continuing to weaken.

Weather conditions in the afternoon weren’t strong enough to deter people from walking on the streets.

No injuries have been reported. About 20 vehicles were damaged by floods in the southern town of Ulju, the nearby city of Ulsan and the central city of Seosan, according to South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Emergency workers also responded to several flooded buildings and homes, the ministry said.

Government officials had urged public vigilance and monitoring of areas like underground passageways and basement dwellings that are at high risk of flooding.



1 Dead, 6 Missing After Luxury Superyacht Sailboat Sinks in Storm off Sicily 

Emergency and rescue services work near the scene where a sailboat sank in the early hours of Monday off the coast of Porticello, near the Sicilian city of Palermo, Italy, August 19, 2024. (Reuters)
Emergency and rescue services work near the scene where a sailboat sank in the early hours of Monday off the coast of Porticello, near the Sicilian city of Palermo, Italy, August 19, 2024. (Reuters)
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1 Dead, 6 Missing After Luxury Superyacht Sailboat Sinks in Storm off Sicily 

Emergency and rescue services work near the scene where a sailboat sank in the early hours of Monday off the coast of Porticello, near the Sicilian city of Palermo, Italy, August 19, 2024. (Reuters)
Emergency and rescue services work near the scene where a sailboat sank in the early hours of Monday off the coast of Porticello, near the Sicilian city of Palermo, Italy, August 19, 2024. (Reuters)

A luxury superyacht sailboat carrying foreign tourists capsized and sank off Sicily in bad weather early Monday. One body was found, six people were missing and 15 people were rescued, authorities said.

The British-flagged, 56-meter (184-foot) “Bayesian” had a crew of 10 people and 12 passengers, representing British, American and Canadian nationalities, the Italian coast guard said.

Fifteen people were rescued initially and taken to shore at Porticello, where eight were in the hospital. One body was found near the wreck, but six others were unaccounted for, said Luca Cari, a spokesperson for the Italian fire rescue service.

A helicopter and rescue boats from the coast guard, carabinieri, fire rescue and civil protection service were at the scene searching for the missing and had located the wreck at a depth of 50 meters (163 feet). The boat capsized around 5 a.m. off the port of Porticello.

Experienced deep-water divers were arriving at the scene to try to enter the hull, he said. Those who hadn't been rescued included one member of the crew and six passengers, the coast guard said.

Local media said a fierce storm, including water spouts, had battered the area overnight but skies were clear and seas calm by Monday morning.

The ANSA news agency said the yacht, built in 2008 by the Italian firm Perini Navi, had been moored off the port at Porticello.