Seoul bridge collapse kills six, inspections held hours prior

A bridge collapse in Seoul's Seodaemun District on May 26 claimed six lives, with investigations revealing that safety inspections had been conducted just hours before the incident. The structure, part of a demolition project, saw its first inspection around 10:40 AM on the day of the accident. Experts from a safety diagnosis company assessed the bridge's upper structure and discussed mitigation measures.

However, the tragedy unfolded approximately four hours later. Authorities had previously stated that construction was halted around 2:30 AM after a 2.9 cm subsidence was detected on one side of the bridge's slab. A subsequent inspection at 2 PM revealed the partial collapse by 2:30 PM.

The fire department suspects the incident occurred when the site manager and other deceased individuals entered a narrow 80cm internal space between the slab and scaffolding to inspect its condition. The collapse of a supporting girder is believed to have trapped them. The supervisor was rescued but later died, while three others, including Seoul and Seodaemun district officials, sustained injuries to their heads and bodies.

“

The site manager and other deceased individuals entered a narrow 80cm internal space between the slab and scaffolding to inspect its condition. The collapse of a supporting girder is believed to have trapped them.