A highway bridge under construction near Anseong, approximately 70 kilometers south of Seoul, collapsed on Tuesday morning, resulting in the deaths of four workers and injuring six others, according to local fire authorities.
The incident occurred at 9:49 a.m. local time when five 50-meter concrete structures, recently hoisted into place by a crane, sequentially collapsed. Among the deceased are two Chinese nationals; the injured include five individuals in critical condition, one of whom is also a Chinese citizen. All ten workers were on the deck of the bridge and fell when the structure gave way.
Dramatic footage aired by broadcaster YTN captured the moment the bridge deck collapsed. Rescue teams are currently sifting through the debris of twisted metal and fractured concrete in search of any additional victims.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok has ordered the mobilization of all available personnel and resources to assist in rescue operations and to implement safety measures to prevent further incidents. The National Fire Agency has deployed three helicopters and nearly 150 officials to the scene, while the Transport Ministry has dispatched a team to investigate the cause of the collapse.
This tragedy adds to a series of fatal industrial accidents in South Korea. Earlier this month, six people perished in a fire at a hotel construction site in Busan. In 2023, the country reported 598 industrial worker fatalities, with the construction sector accounting for nearly half of these deaths.
