Sales of disaster-related supplies in South Korea are skyrocketing due to heightened safety concerns after unprecedented quakes hit the nation’s southeastern area last week.

Since the magnitude 5.8 quake hit Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province on Sept. 12, online retailer G-market has seen the sales of some goods rise. For instance, gas masks and emergency generators saw a 37 percent increase in sales compared to last year. Pain relief patches and first aid kits have also been selling well on G-market.

Sales of helmets and lanterns jumped by 22 percent and 28 percent, respectively, at 11st Street, another major e-commerce platform in the nation.

Meanwhile, certain food items have also seen brisk sales over the same period. Water was the most popular item, up 72 percent in sales. There was a more than 20 percent rise in demand for instant cup noodles and ready-made meals.

A Japanese survival kit sold on 11th Street has also been drawing attention. The all-in-one package contains 19 essential tools for emergencies, including a radio, blanket, alcohol, a mask and ready-to-eat food.

“The demand for disaster supplies is significantly rising on the back of recent earthquakes in the nation,” said a G-market official.

“More people are buying the supplies on e-commerce as it is easier to access multiple items that are rarely available in offline stores.”

The recent earthquakes that shook North Gyeongsang Province have alarmed the nation, raising safety concerns. Last week marked the largest-ever quake since seismic records started to be collected in the 1970s. Houses, facilities and cultural properties such as Seokguram Grotto suffered damage.

By Song Ji-won (jiwon.song@heraldcorp.com)