Four Workers Killed, Six Injured in South Korea Highway Collapse; Investigation Underway

International International News

Posted by NewAdmin on 2025-02-25 08:59:38 |

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 10

---

On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, a tragic incident occurred in South Korea when elevated parts of a highway under construction collapsed in the city of Cheonan, approximately 90 kilometers south of Seoul. Ten workers were on the site at the time of the collapse, and they fell into the rubble as the structure crumbled. Four workers were confirmed dead, and six others were injured. Rescue teams quickly mobilized to retrieve those trapped, with about 150 personnel, 50 fire trucks, and three helicopters dispatched to the scene. Despite these efforts, the cause of the collapse was not immediately identified, and authorities were focused on the urgent task of recovering the workers.

The collapse occurred when five steel structures, each 50 meters (164 feet) in length, that were supporting the elevated highway bridge gave way. The workers, who were trapped under the debris, included both those who were killed and those who were injured. Emergency teams found one worker already dead at the site, while three others succumbed to their injuries after being transported to nearby hospitals. Several workers were in serious condition. The injured were quickly rushed to hospitals for treatment, and the search for additional survivors continued for hours. 

The construction project at the time was being managed by Hyundai Engineering, which issued an apology for the loss of life and injuries. The company pledged to cooperate fully with authorities to ensure that the cause of the accident is thoroughly investigated. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport in South Korea also sent a team of officials to the site to oversee the ongoing efforts and investigate the cause of the collapse.

South Korean authorities, including acting President Choi Sang-mok, who assumed office following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, called for the mobilization of all available resources and personnel to support the rescue efforts. Choi emphasized the need to ensure safety measures to prevent further damage or loss of life. South Korea has experienced multiple deadly accidents at industrial sites in recent years, and the issue of worker safety remains a significant concern. This tragedy comes on the heels of other fatal incidents, including a deadly fire at a hotel construction site in Busan earlier in February, which killed six people. 

Despite the country’s introduction of a law in 2022 aimed at improving safety conditions on industrial sites, incidents like these continue to occur regularly. The law, which holds company management accountable for worker fatalities, has yet to fully stem the tide of deadly accidents in high-risk industries. This most recent collapse underscores the ongoing challenges faced by South Korea’s construction industry, raising questions about the effectiveness of safety regulations and oversight. As investigations into the collapse continue, the tragedy has sparked further debate about the need for stronger safety measures and more stringent enforcement to protect workers from such preventable disasters.

Go!