Fears S Korea typhoon toll could reach 80

Fifteen South Koreans were known to have died and about 40 were still missing, officials said, as the country mopped up after…

Fifteen South Koreans were known to have died and about 40 were still missing, officials said, as the country mopped up after a powerful typhoon dumped record rainfall on parts of the peninsula.

There are fears the death toll could eventually top 80.

A statement from the National Disaster Prevention Headquarters said rescue workers were searching for about 40 people still unaccounted for after Typhoon Rusa triggered landslides that washed away roads, houses and vehicles.

Seoul lifted most typhoon alerts today, although the Korea Meteorological Administration kept some in place for the islands off South Korea's east coast.

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President Kim Dae-jung urged government officials to quickly repair typhoon damage. Storm-ravaged structures included the soccer stadium at Seogwipo, on Cheju island, which hosted some of this year's World Cup matches, and a hockey stadium and three other facilities built for the Asian Games opening later this month in the southern port city of Pusan.

Worst hit by the typhoon was the town of Kangnung, 160 km (99 miles) east of Seoul, where the typhoon dumped a record 871 mm (34.29 inches) of rain yesterday.