A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck a fishing community in southwestern South Korea, causing minor damage but fortunately resulting in no reported injuries. The earthquake, with an estimated depth of 8 kilometers (5 miles), was the strongest recorded in South Korea this year. The National Fire Agency confirmed eight cases of property damage in Buan and the nearby city of Iksan, including cracked walls, broken wall tiles, and a broken window. The tremor was powerful enough to dislodge items from store shelves.
Residents in the affected areas felt the shaking, with nearly 80 calls received by officials in the North Joella province fire department. Additional calls came from other regions, totaling over 200, including reports from the central North Chungcheong province and the capital, Seoul. Despite the widespread impact, there were no reports of injuries as of Wednesday morning.
South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-Soo directed officials to remain vigilant for potential aftershocks and to prepare for evacuating residents safely. Special attention was given to safeguarding key infrastructure such as power plants and transportation networks. The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission assured that the earthquake did not compromise the safety of any nuclear power plants in the country, following emergency inspections that found no abnormalities.
