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🇰🇷 South Korea /Disasters & Emergencies

Seoul overpass demolition collapses, killing three

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A demolition site at the Seosomun Overpass in Seoul collapsed on April 26, killing three people and injuring three others.
  • Witnesses described the collapse as happening like dominoes and expressed concern about the safety of the demolition work.
  • The area is usually crowded during commute and lunch hours, raising fears of a larger casualty count had the accident occurred at a busier time.

A demolition site at the Seosomun Overpass in Seoul collapsed on April 26, killing three people and injuring three others. Witnesses described the sudden collapse as happening "like dominoes," expressing shock and concern over the safety of the ongoing demolition work.

It fell like dominoes. I thought a major accident had occurred and immediately reported it.

· Kim, a local business ownerDescribing the moment the Seosomun Overpass collapsed during demolition.

One local business owner, who witnessed the incident from a nearby cafe, reported seeing the overpass crumble. "It fell like dominoes," they told Hankyoreh, immediately reporting the accident. The scene was engulfed in dust after the collapse.

It's a path many people use for commuting. If it had happened during lunchtime, the damage would have been much greater.

· Park, a nearby workerReflecting on the timing of the accident and the usual crowd in the area.

Residents and workers in the vicinity expressed anxiety about the construction. "I always thought it looked dangerous, and I worried about what would happen if it collapsed," said one restaurant owner. "The overpass looked very corroded, and the section that collapsed was in a different condition than the others." Another owner, who has operated in the area for over 30 years, stated, "I thought they were working too carelessly. My heart stopped when the accident happened."

I always thought it looked dangerous, and I worried about what would happen if it collapsed. The overpass looked very corroded, and the section that collapsed was in a different condition than the others.

· A local restaurant ownerExpressing pre-existing concerns about the condition of the overpass and the demolition work.

The accident occurred during a period when the area is typically bustling with commuters and people on lunch breaks. "It's a path many people use for commuting," said a nearby worker. "If it had happened during lunchtime, the damage would have been much greater." The collapse has raised questions about the safety protocols and execution of the demolition project in a densely populated urban area.

I thought they were working too carelessly. My heart stopped when the accident happened.

· Another local restaurant ownerSharing their reaction to the collapse and their perception of the work.
About this summary

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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