Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
South Korea Subway Tunnel Mishap Traps Workers
Gwangmyeong, South Korea – A subway tunnel under construction in South Korea suffered a collapse on April 11, trapping several construction workers nearly 100 feet below ground. Emergency responders launched a rescue operation, successfully extricating one worker after 13 hours. Authorities are continuing efforts to locate any remaining individuals within the affected area. The incident occurred in Gwangmyeong, near Seoul, after officials had previously issued warnings about the instability of a ventilation shaft at the construction site, ordering workers to evacuate.
Worker Rescued After Lengthy Entrapment
Rescue personnel in South Korea successfully saved a worker who was trapped within the debris of a collapsed subway construction site for over half a day.
Im Gwang-sik, an official with the Gwangmyeong Fire Department, stated to the Associated Press that the rescued individual had been confined approximately 100 feet underground for 13 hours following the subway tunnel’s failure on Friday, April 11.
Upon reaching the worker on Saturday, April 12, rescue teams found him conscious, according to the fire department official. He was promptly transported to a nearby medical facility for evaluation. Officials confirmed ongoing search operations for another person still believed to be trapped within the wreckage, as reported by the AP.
Communication from Underground
The Korea Herald reported that one of the trapped individuals, an excavator operator, was able to briefly communicate with rescue personnel via telephone. This communication provided crucial information for the ongoing rescue attempts.
Prior Warnings and Site Conditions
The tunnel in Gwangmyeong, situated roughly eight miles southwest of Seoul, was actively under construction when the incident took place. Prior to the collapse, city authorities had instructed workers to evacuate the site and implemented traffic restrictions in the vicinity. This action followed reports indicating a significant risk of collapse associated with a ventilation shaft, according to the AP.
Rescue Efforts and Ongoing Search
Dozens of rescue workers are currently engaged in operations at the site of the incident. Authorities are utilizing three cranes to aid in the search for the remaining missing worker, as reported by the Associated Press.
The Herald indicated that the initial tunnel collapse occurred at approximately 3:13 p.m. on Friday, subsequently causing a section of the road above to also give way.
Safety Inspection and Premonition of Disaster
A total of 17 workers, including the rescued individual, were present at the construction site for a safety inspection when the collapse occurred. This inspection was prompted by earlier reports of ground subsidence near the construction area, according to the Herald. Around 12:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, the workers reported a structural failure in the tunnel support system, located approximately 98 feet underground, accompanied by “suspicious sounds” emanating from the site, signaling imminent danger.
The Herald further reported that in the immediate aftermath of the collapse, authorities could not initially account for five of the 17 workers. However, it was later confirmed that three of these individuals were safe.
Challenges in Rescue Operation
Authorities have noted that the presence of a gas odor near the tunnel collapse is complicating the rescue efforts. As a precautionary measure, they have requested the Korea Gas Safety Corporation to shut off the gas supply to a nearby pipeline, as per the Herald.
“The rescue operation is anticipated to require a significant duration,” stated an official involved in the response.
Location and Investigation
Gwangmyeong, described by news outlets as a densely populated city within Gyeonggi Province, is part of the greater Seoul metropolitan area. Roads in the vicinity of the collapse have been closed to vehicular traffic. Authorities have initiated a comprehensive investigation to determine the precise cause of the subway tunnel collapse.