At least four people lost their lives, and six others sustained injuries following the collapse of a highway construction site south of Seoul, South Korea.
The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday in Anseong, approximately 70 kilometers from the capital.
According to Yonhap News Agency, five 50-meter-long concrete structures, which had just been lifted into place by a crane, collapsed sequentially, leading to the disaster.
Anseong fire official, Ko Kyung-man, confirmed that the fatalities included two Chinese nationals, while five of the injured, including another Chinese citizen, were in critical condition.
“They were working to install a deck on the bridge,” Ko stated during a televised briefing.
“All of the 10 were up on the deck … and fell from both sides when it collapsed.”
South Korean broadcaster YTN aired dramatic footage capturing the moment a towering bridge section gave way.
On the ground, rescue workers navigated through a chaotic scene of twisted metal beams and fractured concrete, searching for any survivors beneath the remains of the highway bridge.
Acting President, Choi Sang-mok, ordered an immediate mobilization of all available resources to assist in the rescue efforts and prevent further casualties, according to his office.
The National Fire Agency deployed three helicopters and nearly 150 personnel to aid in the search and rescue operation, while the transport ministry dispatched a team to assess the situation on-site.
Despite South Korea implementing a workplace safety law in 2022 to hold company executives accountable for fatal accidents, industrial tragedies continue to occur.
Earlier this year, in February, six people perished in a fire at a hotel construction site in Busan.
Nearly 100 individuals were evacuated, including 14 workers who had to be rescued from a rooftop via helicopter.
In another devastating incident, a fire at a lithium battery factory in June 2024 claimed the lives of 23 workers.
Authorities cited inadequate safety training and quality control failures as contributing factors to the catastrophe.
