SEOUL, Jan 18 (NNN-Bernama) — More than 50,000 people predicted would die in South Korea if the nation’s capital, Seoul, were struck by an earthquake similar in size to last week’s temblor in Haiti, a government agency said Monday.

The National Emergency Management Agency conducted a simulation with its quake-response system and predicted if a 7.0-magnitude quake hits the southwestern Seoul, it would cause about 672,231 casualties across the country, reported South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.

The number breaks down to 50,451 deaths and 621,780 injuries, the agency said.

Under such a scenario, Seoul would be hit the hardest with 419,746 casualties.

Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds Seoul, would follow with 206,782 casualties and Incheon with 45,364, the agency said.

No casualties were expected in distant southern areas, such as Busan and Daegu, Yonhap quoted as saying.

“The maximum magnitude expected on the Korean Peninsula ranges from 6.0 to 6.5,” an official at the agency said requesting anonymity.

“But even if a 7.0-magnitude quake occurs, the country will be quick to put is relief system into operation, dispatching 119 rescue teams, dealing with casualties and reestablishing gas, electricity and water supplies,” Yonhap cited the official as saying.

In Haiti, more than 70,000 bodies have reportedly been collected so far. The Korea Meteorological Administration warned on Sunday that the Korean Peninsula is not immune to such strong quakes, with a record-high 60 minor quakes observed last year. The record is far above the 10-year average of 41, according to the authorities.

– NNN-BERNAMA

• MALAYSIAN PM ARRIVES IN DELHI FOR HIGH-LEVEL TALKSWITH INDIAN COUNTERPART
• NUMBER OF EVACUEES RISE AS FLOOD WORSENS IN MALAYSIA'S SABAH STATE
• EMPLOYMENT ACT AMENDMENTS TO ENCOURAGE MORE MALAYSIANS TO JOIN WORK FORCE
• MALAYSIAN GAMING, RESORTS GROUP GENTING EYES INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN US
• UNCTAD SAYS GLOBAL FOREIGN INVESTMENT FLOWS PLUNGED 40 PCT IN 2009