ISTANBUL

The death toll from heavy rains and landslides in South Korea soared to 17 as three more casualties were reported on Sunday evening, local media reported.

At least 11 people are missing due to torrential rains over the last four days, Yonhap News reported, citing government data.

Data from the Interior Ministry and National Fire Agency said six of the fatalities and seven of the missing are from the southern county of Sancheong.

Additional deaths took place in Osan in the Gyeonggi Province and Seosan and Dangjin, both in the South Chungcheong province.

Two of the missing were reported in the southwestern city of Gwangju.

Rescue efforts are ongoing in Sancheong, and officials have indicated that the death toll may climb. So far, 58 people have been rescued from the county.

Torrential rains have battered the country since Wednesday, with Sancheong receiving 793.5 millimeters (31.2 inches) of rain.

The neighboring county of Hapcheon saw 699 mm (27.5 in), while Hadong got 621.5 mm (24.5 in).

Authorities have reported 1,920 incidents of flooding, soil erosion, and damage to public infrastructure, as well as 2,234 cases of private property damage, including buildings and farmland.

Some 12,921 people have been evacuated to shelters in 14 major cities and provinces.

*Writing by Aamir Latif