[26.05.26] Seosomun Overpass Collapse Leaves 3 Dead at Demolition Site

Seosomun Overpass Demolition Collapse Kills 3, Injures 3

📍Three people died and three others were injured after a structure collapsed during a safety inspection at the Seosomun overpass demolition site in Seoul, prompting a major disaster investigation by police

A major accident occurred at the Seosomun overpass demolition site in Seodaemun District, Seoul, where part of the structure collapsed, killing three people and injuring three others. Authorities believe the collapse occurred during a safety inspection conducted after signs of structural sinking were discovered earlier in the day. Police and fire officials are investigating the exact cause of the collapse and whether safety management procedures were properly followed. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has launched a dedicated major industrial accident investigation team.

🔹 Collapse at Seosomun Overpass Demolition Site Leaves 3 Dead and 3 Injured
According to fire authorities on May 26, part of the upper deck at the Seosomun overpass demolition site in Migun-dong, Seodaemun District, collapsed at approximately 2:33 p.m.

Among 13 workers and officials present near the site, six people were trapped under the collapsed structure. A male site manager in his 60s and a male external safety inspection expert in his 50s died at the scene. A male construction supervisor in his 60s was transported to a hospital after suffering cardiac arrest but later died.

Three additional victims — including two Seoul city officials in their 50s and 40s and a truck driver in his 30s — sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment. One of the injured reportedly suffered serious injuries while the other two sustained minor wounds.

Authorities confirmed that the remaining seven people near the site escaped without injury.

🔹 Collapse Believed to Have Occurred During Safety Inspection After Early Morning Sinking
According to Seoul city officials and fire authorities, signs of structural instability had already appeared roughly 12 hours before the accident.

At approximately 2:30 a.m., workers conducting slab-cutting operations reportedly discovered a 2.9-centimeter height difference after part of the structure partially sank.

Construction personnel immediately halted operations after detecting the abnormal movement.

Later, at around 2 p.m., nine officials — including Seoul city personnel, the site manager, the construction supervisor, and outside safety experts — entered the site to conduct a safety inspection when parts of the scaffolding and girders reportedly gave way, triggering the collapse.

An official from Seoul’s Urban Infrastructure Division stated that the construction work had been suspended immediately after the sinking was discovered and that the collapse appears to have occurred during the subsequent inspection process.

🔹 Fire Authorities Issue Level 1 Emergency Response
Fire authorities dispatched emergency crews after receiving reports that part of the overpass had collapsed onto a vehicle.

Officials issued a Level 1 emergency response and mobilized firefighting equipment including 16 fire engines and five ambulances. More than 100 firefighters participated in rescue operations, while police deployed around 170 personnel to secure and control the area.

Rescue teams arrived at the site at approximately 2:38 p.m. and conducted search and rescue operations for trapped victims. Authorities completed rescue work around 4:40 p.m.

Afterward, emergency officials lifted the Level 1 response status and shifted focus toward recovery operations and additional safety inspections.

🔹 Road Closures and Rail Service Disruptions Follow Collapse
Traffic in the Seosomun area was heavily disrupted following the accident.

Roads between the National Police Agency intersection and Chungjeongno were fully closed in both directions, while several surrounding roads near Seodaemun Station and the National Police Agency were partially restricted.

Rail services were also affected. Korail announced that power lines between Seoul Station and Sinchon Station were shut down following the collapse near the overpass.

As a result, some KTX and regular train services operating between Seoul Station and Yongsan Station were suspended or adjusted.

🔹 Aging Overpass Was Near Completion of Demolition Work
The Seosomun overpass was originally completed in 1966 as a four-lane elevated roadway approximately 15 meters wide.

After decades of operation, the structure recently received a Grade D rating during a detailed safety inspection, raising concerns over severe aging and structural deterioration.

Seoul city officials began demolition work in September last year and had planned to complete removal of the structure this month.

At the time of the accident, demolition work was reportedly about 89 percent complete.

🔹 Police Launch Major Disaster Investigation Team
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency formed a dedicated investigation team led by the chief of the Metropolitan Investigation Division.

The team consists of around 50 personnel, including major industrial accident investigators, forensic specialists, and detectives from local police stations.

Police said they will focus on whether proper safety management procedures were followed, the precise cause of the collapse, and whether there were failures in site response measures.

Authorities are also expected to review whether the Serious Accidents Punishment Act may apply in the case.

🔹 President Orders Thorough Investigation and Preventive Measures
President Lee Jae-myung instructed officials to do everything possible to support rescue operations and medical treatment for the injured, according to Senior Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung.

President Lee also expressed condolences for the victims and ordered a strict investigation into the cause of the accident along with comprehensive preventive measures to avoid similar disasters in the future.

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and Interior Minister Yoon Ho-jung likewise ordered authorities to mobilize all available personnel and equipment for rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, rival Seoul mayoral candidates suspended campaign activities and visited the accident site. Democratic Party candidate Jung Won-oh described the incident as “deeply tragic,” while People Power Party candidate Oh Se-hoon urged authorities to focus fully on emergency response efforts.

One-line summary : Three people were killed and three injured after a structure collapsed during a safety inspection at Seoul’s Seosomun overpass demolition site, prompting a major disaster investigation.