Deadly Overpass Collapse Spurs Safety Concerns in Demolition Projects

A tragic collapse at the Seosomun overpass demolition site in Seoul, which resulted in fatalities and injuries, has prompted experts to question the effectiveness of safety management systems for demolition projects. The incident underscores a persistent issue: demolition work, while inherently more dangerous than new construction, often receives insufficient attention and investment in safety.

The Seosomun overpass, opened in 1966 and classified as a Grade D structure in 2019, had been undergoing demolition since September due to ongoing collapses and damage. Research published in the Korean Society of Disaster Information indicates that demolition projects have accounted for over 120 accidents annually in the past five years, with a fatality rate more than double the average for the entire construction industry.

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The causes of accidents include the absence of work plans (27%), insufficient assessment of structural stability (24%), non-compliance with safety supervision (18%), and inadequate worker safety training (15%).

Analysis of these accidents reveals common causes, including the absence of work plans (27%), insufficient structural stability assessments (24%), non-compliance with safety supervision (18%), and inadequate worker safety training (15%). A significant majority of fatal incidents, over 80%, occurred at sites where demolition plans were either poorly prepared or entirely missing.

This situation echoes previous tragedies, such as the 2021 collapse of a building during redevelopment in Gwangju, which killed nine people. Investigations revealed illegal subcontracting and a failure to adhere to demolition plans. Experts are calling for improvements to the demolition plan process, which is often treated as a formality. They highlight issues such as unclear qualifications for plan creators, leading to a lack of expertise, and complex procedures for modifying plans in response to changing site conditions, often resulting in work deviating from the original blueprint. Furthermore, the lack of clear safety management responsibilities for project owners contributes to insufficient budget and time allocation for safety measures.

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More than 80% of incidents involving fatalities occurred at demolition sites where demolition plans were poorly prepared or not created at all.