3 Dead in Seosomun Overpass Collapse During Demolition

Three people died and three were injured when a section of the Seosomun Overpass in Seoul collapsed during demolition work. The overpass, completed in 1966, crumbled around 2:33 PM on the 26th while cutting operations were underway for its demolition. Approximately 30 minutes before the accident, around 2:00 PM, a structural anomaly was detected with a 2.9 cm subsidence, and work was immediately halted, but the collapse could not be prevented. At the time, inspection personnel had entered the 'girder' – a critical supporting structure for the bridge load beneath the slab – to assess its condition. The accident resulted in workers and personnel on site being crushed or falling with the structure.

The deceased were identified as on-site supervisors in their 50s and 60s, including the construction company's site manager, the supervision team leader, and an external structural engineering consultant. Immediately after the accident, police cordoned off the roads around the Nonghyup Life Insurance headquarters, Seosomun History Park, and a nearby residence. The fire department deployed rescue personnel and equipment starting at 2:38 PM to conduct search and rescue operations. Rebar was exposed, tangled beneath severed concrete structures, and vehicles were crushed beneath the collapsed debris. Fire engine sirens and radio chatter filled the air, and dozens of reporters and citizens gathered, creating a crowd. Fire engines and rescue vehicles navigated a narrow access road, causing congestion. Around 4:30 PM, the fire department concluded rescue operations after determining there were no further trapped individuals. Excavators were then deployed to clear the fallen structures, and by around 7:00 PM, recovery work to remove the collapsed debris continued late into the night.

A local resident operating a restaurant near the site said, "Suddenly a loud noise was heard, and I ran outside. I saw the overpass I see every day collapse like that, and I was shocked," recounting the situation at the time.

Police forensic investigators, Seoul city officials, and Ministry of Employment and Labor inspectors focused on determining the cause of the accident. It was pointed out that the appropriateness of the safety inspection process conducted after the subsidence was detected needs clarification. There were also opinions that supporting structures or anchoring devices for the demolition, which were supposed to support the overpass structure, were not sufficiently visible on site.

The Seosomun Overpass is a road facility measuring 335 meters in length and 14.9 meters in width, completed in 1966. It received a D-grade rating in a detailed safety inspection in 2019 due to aging, and Seoul City began demolition work last year. The accident also caused temporary disruptions to train services between Seoul Station and Sinchon Station. The police have formed a dedicated investigation team, primarily within the Major Disasters Investigation Unit of the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency, to investigate the exact cause of the accident and whether safety measures were adequate. The Ministry of Employment and Labor has also issued an order to completely halt demolition work and is investigating potential violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.