Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Date: 23 Apr 2004



Democratic People's Republic of Korea: Explosion in Ryongchon
County OCHA Situation Report No. 1


Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2004/0061
OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Democratic People's Republic of Korea - Explosion in Ryongchon
County
Occurred on 22 April 2004

The Government has formally requested international assistance.

Event and Impact
1. On Thursday 22 April 2004, at 1210 hrs local time (0310
UCT), two train wagons carrying explosives detonated at
Ryongchon Station, Ryongchon Country, North Phyongan Province.
Initial reports from Government received today indicate that
the accident happened during shunting operations at the
station. According to the Government the explosives were
enroute to a construction site for a large scale irrigation
project.

2. According to initial reports of the Government's Flood
Damage Rehabilitation Committee (FDRC) the explosion injured
over 1,000 people. So far, 50 bodies have been recovered. These
are initial casualty reports and are subject to change.

3. The explosion reportedly caused major damage to housing and
infrastructure, including schools and medical facilities.
Initial reports from Government indicate that more than 1,800
dwellings have been completely destroyed.

4. Following a request from the Government, an Inter-Agency
assessment mission to Ryongchon County is planned for Saturday,
24 April. The mission will undertake an initial assessment of
the damage. Participants will include representatives from WFP,
WHO, UNICEF, OCHA, IFRC, ECHO, NGOs and representatives of the
Diplomatic Community,

National and International Response

5. The National Red Cross has mobilized in response to the
disaster. Red Cross volunteers, working at the Red Cross
Disaster Preparedness Warehouse in Sinuiju, are currently
preparing relief items for distribution to the affected
population in Ryongchon. Distribution of items such as
blankets, kitchen sets and plastic sheeting should start as
early as tomorrow. The Ministry of Public Health also responded
to the disaster by sending medical supplies from Pyongyang to
Ryongchon County early this morning.

6. The in-country UNICEF, WHO, and IFRC have reallocated
medicines and medical supplies from existing programmes to meet
some of the immediate needs. It is expected that these items
will be delivered to Ryongchon County tomorrow. The value of
these items is over US$150,000 and includes medical kits for a
county hospital, essential medicines and IV fluid.

7. A formal request for international assistance in response to
the disaster was received by the United Nations Humanitarian
Coordinator in Pyongyang this afternoon from the Government.

8. In addition to the assistance already being dispatched to
the area, WFP has sufficient food in-country to meet the
immediate food needs of the affected population. Where
possible, identified needs will be met with resources available
through existing in-country programmes. A decision on whether
or not to appeal for additional assistance will be made
following tomorrow's initial assessment mission to the affected
area.

9. OCHA is prepared to field a United Nations Disaster
Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) Team and to provide an
emergency grant upon request. Several international search and
rescue teams are available for deployment if required. OCHA is
in contact with its Office in Pyongyang, and will revert with
further information, as it becomes available.

10. This situation report, together with further information on
ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet
Website at http://www.reliefweb.int

Telephone: 22-917 12 34
Fax: 22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. 22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
Mr. S. Nakajima/Mr. R. Mena
Direct Tel. 22-917 4034 /1455

Press contact:
(GVA) - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. 22-917 26 53
(N.Y.) - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. 212-963 87 40