On Tuesday, a tragic accident at a highway construction site in Anseong, South Korea, resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals and left six others injured.
The incident occurred at 9:49 a.m. local time when five 50-meter concrete structures, meant to support a bridge, collapsed as they were being positioned by a crane. Among the deceased were two Chinese nationals, and the injured included five individuals in critical condition, one of whom is also a Chinese citizen. All ten workers were on the deck during the collapse and fell from both sides as it gave way.
Rescue teams were promptly dispatched to the scene, working diligently amidst the twisted metal and fractured concrete to locate and assist victims. Authorities have indicated that one person might still be trapped under the debris, and efforts are ongoing to locate and retrieve them.
In response to the disaster, acting President Choi Sang-mok has called for the mobilization of all available personnel and resources to aid in the rescue operations and to implement safety measures to prevent further incidents, according to Reuters. The Transport Ministry has also sent a team of officials to the site to assist with the investigation and support the rescue efforts.
Despite the implementation of stringent safety regulations, the country continues to experience frequent industrial accidents. As the investigation into the cause of the collapse continues, there is a renewed emphasis on the necessity for rigorous safety protocols and oversight in construction projects.
