25.11.06.Today News : Ulsan Power Plant Tower Collapse: 9 Workers Trapped, 2 Rescued, 7 Still Missing

Ulsan Power Plant Tower Collapse: 9 Workers Trapped, 2 Rescued, 7 Still Missing

📍Structure collapsed during dismantling work; night search continues with full-scale rescue operation

A boiler tower at the Ulsan Thermal Power Plant collapsed on the afternoon of November 6, trapping nine workers. Two have been rescued, but seven remain missing as rescue teams continue overnight search operations with heavy equipment and nationwide support.

A boiler tower collapsed at the Ulsan Thermal Power Plant, burying nine workers. Two have been rescued, and search operations are underway for the remaining seven.

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🔹Accident Overview
At around 2:06 p.m. on November 6, a boiler tower collapsed at the Korea East-West Power’s Ulsan Thermal Power Plant in Yongjam-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan. The collapse occurred during dismantling work on Unit 5, which had ceased operations in 2021. A partial failure of a support structure is believed to have triggered the accident.

🔹Rescue Operations
Firefighters arrived at the scene 12 minutes after the report and rescued two men in their 60s and 40s, both in stable condition. Later, additional trapped locations were identified, though the condition of several workers remains unknown.
As of 10 p.m., seven workers are still believed to be trapped, with crews continuing overnight rescue efforts using cranes and heavy equipment.

🔹Emergency Response and Resources
The site is being supported by a 700-ton crane, two 500-ton cranes, and rescue teams from Busan, Daegu, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam provinces, along with the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters. Authorities declared a Level 1 emergency response at 2:56 p.m. and upgraded it to a National Fire Mobilization Order at 3:13 p.m., enabling full-scale mobilization of specialized rescue forces and air support.

🔹Victim Information
A total of nine workers were affected, including five in their 60s, one in his 50s, two in their 40s, and one in his 20s. All are believed to be subcontracted workers involved in dismantling. They were reportedly weakening the tower columns (drilling) for demolition when the structure suddenly collapsed.

🔹Investigation and Safety Concerns
The tower, built in 1981 and decommissioned in 2021, was under demolition led by HJ Heavy Industries, with subcontracted work handled by Korea Kaco, a blasting specialist. Authorities are investigating whether adequate safety inspections and load management procedures were in place before demolition began.

🔹Ongoing Efforts
Fire officials said they will continue around-the-clock search and rescue operations until all missing workers are located. The Ministry of Employment and Labor and police have also launched a joint investigation to examine potential violations of industrial safety regulations and determine accountability for the collapse.

One-line summary : Nine workers were trapped when a boiler tower collapsed during demolition at Ulsan Power Plant, with overnight rescue operations still underway.