One worker has been confirmed dead and six others remain trapped after the collapse of a massive steel structure at a decommissioned power plant in South Korea, authorities said Friday, as ongoing safety concerns slow rescue operations.
The accident occurred on Thursday afternoon at a heating facility slated for demolition. According to officials, workers were dismantling parts of the large steel framework when the structure suddenly gave way, sending tons of metal crashing to the ground.
Footage from the site showed the tangled remains of the collapsed structure surrounded by similar towering frames, underscoring the scale of the wreckage.
Fire official Kim Jung-shik told reporters that two workers were rescued soon after the collapse, while two more were later spotted trapped beneath the rubble. “One worker was confirmed dead early on Friday, and the condition of another remains unclear,” Kim said.
Rescue teams have deployed heat sensors, remote cameras, and search dogs in an effort to locate and reach the remaining trapped workers. However, their progress has been hindered by fears that portions of the unstable structure could collapse further.
President Lee Jae Myung, who has made workplace safety a central focus of his administration, ordered emergency responders to “mobilize all available resources” to save the trapped workers.
South Korea has faced a string of industrial accidents in recent years, prompting heightened scrutiny over construction and demolition safety standards.
Authorities said a full investigation will be launched once rescue efforts conclude to determine the cause of Thursday’s collapse.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
