Canceled flights and traffic accidents: Snow masses claim four lives

Seoul (South Korea) - The South Korean capital has been battling the snow masses for two days now . Four people have died so far.

Many people are trying to flee Seoul to get to safety.
Many people are trying to flee Seoul to get to safety.  © Hong Ji-won/Yonhap/AP/dpa

According to a report by The Guardian, the third heaviest snowfall since weather records began is currently occurring in South Korea.

One person died on a golf course when a net overhead could no longer stop the precipitation and the person was buried under the masses of snow.

The same fate befell another person who had sought shelter in a tent in the park. She also died under the masses of snow.

Two others died as a result of a traffic accident on the highway near the capital.

142 flights canceled - passengers stranded at the airport

Covered in snow: the city's residents do everything they can to clear the paths and roads.
Covered in snow: the city's residents do everything they can to clear the paths and roads.  © Ahn Young-joon/AP/dpa

An incredible 40 centimetres of snow fell by 8 a.m. (local time) on Thursday!

The heavy snowfall is due to the unusually warm sea water in the east of the Korean peninsula, as it meets cold air currents there.

In addition to schools, the capital's airport also had to close temporarily.

A total of 142 flights have been canceled so far, leaving many passengers stranded at the airport.