Thousands rush to get on flights as East Asia weather pounds

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Thousands rush to get on flights as East Asia weather pounds

SEOUL: Thousands of travellers swarmed a small airport in South Korea's Jeju island on January 25 in a scramble to get on flights after snowstorms and frigid winter weather gripped East Asia for the second straight day.

Officials at South Korea's Ministry of the Interior and Safety did not immediately report any major damage or injuries from subzero temperatures and icy conditions that have affected most of the country since Tuesday.

At least eight roads and 10 sea routes were closed on Wednesday afternoon. Around 140 homes in the capital Seoul and nearby regions reported broken water pressure pumps or pipes as temperatures dipped to around 15 to 20 degrees Celsius across the country.

In Japan, heavy snow and record-cold temperatures also caused widespread disruptions.

At least one person has died and two more deaths were being investigated in connection with the cold weather, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters.