At least four dead in South Korea highway construction project collapse
At least four people tragically lost their lives and six others sustained injuries in a devastating collapse at a highway construction site in Anseong, South Korea. The incident occurred at 9:49 a.m. local time when five large concrete structures supporting a highway bridge collapsed one after another. The collapse occurred as the structures were being hoisted into place by a crane, as reported by the Yonhap News Agency.
Among the casualties were two Chinese nationals, while one of the injured individuals was also a Chinese citizen. Anseong fire official, Ko Kyung-man, revealed that the workers were in the process of installing a deck on the bridge when the collapse happened. The ten workers on the deck tragically fell from both sides as it collapsed.
Dramatic footage broadcasted by YTN captured the heartbreaking moment when the deck of the towering bridge collapsed. Rescue workers at the scene were seen carefully examining the twisted metal struts and fractured concrete slabs below the columns of the highway bridge.
Following the tragic incident, Acting President Choi Sang-mok issued a directive to mobilize all available personnel and resources for the search and rescue operation. The National Fire Agency deployed three helicopters and nearly 150 officials to assist in the rescue efforts. Additionally, the Transport Ministry dispatched a team of officials to the site to provide support.
South Korea has been plagued by deadly accidents at industrial sites, prompting the government to implement stricter safety regulations. In 2022, a law was introduced to address safety lapses and hold company management accountable in the event of a worker fatality. Despite these efforts, tragic accidents like the recent collapse in Anseong continue to occur.
Earlier in February, six individuals lost their lives in a fire at a hotel construction site in Busan. The construction sector has been particularly prone to fatalities, with 303 out of 598 industrial worker deaths in 2023 occurring in this sector. In June of the previous year, a fire at a lithium battery factory claimed the lives of 23 workers due to quality control failures and inadequate safety training.
The South Korean government remains committed to improving safety standards and preventing future tragedies at industrial sites. The efforts to enforce stringent regulations and hold accountable those responsible for lapses in safety measures are crucial in safeguarding the lives of workers across the country.
