At least four people died and six were injured after a catastrophic collapse at a highway construction site in Anseong, about 70 km south of Seoul. The incident occurred at 9:49 a.m. local time when five 50-meter concrete structures supporting a highway bridge collapsed after being hoisted into place by a crane.
The victims included two Chinese nationals, while five of the injured, including one Chinese citizen, are in critical condition. All 10 workers were on the bridge deck when it collapsed, falling from both sides, according to Anseong fire official Ko Kyung-man.
Broadcaster YTN aired dramatic footage of the collapse, showing the towering bridge deck giving way. Rescue workers were seen sifting through twisted metal struts and fractured concrete slabs at the site.
South Korea’s Rescue Efforts in Aftermath of Construction Site Collapse
The National Fire Agency mobilized three helicopters and almost 150 officials for the search and rescue operation. The Transport Ministry additionally dispatched a team to the scene, with acting President Choi Sang-mok calling for all available resources to ensure safety and rescue any missing individuals.
The collapse is further spotlighting South Korea’s ongoing struggle with industrial safety. In 2022, the country introduced a law to address safety lapses and hold company management accountable for workplace deaths.
Despite this, deadly accidents persist, with 598 industrial workers reported to have been killed in 2023, and nearly half in the construction sectors.
In February 2024, a fire at a hotel construction site in Busan killed six people, with 100 evacuated and 14 rescued by helicopter. Consequently, in June 2023, a lithium battery factory fire killed 23 workers, blamed on quality control failures and inadequate safety training.
Calls for Stricter Safety Measures in South Korea’s Construction Industry
The Anseong collapse has reignited calls for stricter safety measures in South Korea’s construction industry. Experts are arguing that while the 2022 safety law is a step forward, enforcement and accountability remain weak.
Data from the Labor Ministry shows 303 construction workers died in 2023, accounting for nearly half of all industrial fatalities. While the total death toll decreased from 644 in 2022, the numbers remain alarmingly high.
