(4th LD) Death toll rises to 3 in Seoul overpass collapse

Lead

A section of the Seosomun Overpass in western Seoul collapsed on Tuesday afternoon, killing three people and injuring three others, according to multiple reports. The collapse occurred at 2:32 p.m. local time while workers were conducting a safety inspection as part of the overpass's demolition, which had been underway since August last year.

The dead and injured were part of a team of inspectors and workers who were inside the structure when part of the bridge deck suddenly gave way, fire officials said. The victims were crushed by debris, and one of the injured later died in hospital, raising the death toll from two to three, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Coverage Comparison

Initial reports varied as the situation developed. Early Yonhap dispatches reported at least six people injured, while later updates confirmed three deaths and three injuries. One Yonhap report, published before the third death was confirmed, listed two dead and four injured. The South China Morning Post and The Hindu, citing fire and city officials, reported three deaths and three injuries from the outset. Africa News also reported the collapse, focusing on the location in the Seodaemun district and the disruption to nearby rail services.

All sources agreed on the core sequence: workers had halted demolition in the morning after detecting a 2-centimetre subsidence in the structure, and the collapse happened during a subsequent safety inspection. The overpass, built in 1966, was being demolished over safety concerns and was scheduled to be fully removed by early next month.

Key Claims

• Fatalities and injuries: Three people were killed and three others injured in the collapse, according to the South China Morning Post, The Hindu, and multiple Yonhap updates. The dead were two men in their 50s and 60s, and a third victim who died after being rescued. The injured survivors, men in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, suffered injuries to the waist, head, and ribs.

• Cause and sequence: Workers noticed a section of the overpass had slightly sunk while concrete slabs were being cut, prompting a halt to demolition. According to Lee Jong-woon, an official at the Seodaemun Fire Station, workers entered between the girders for a safety inspection at around 2 p.m., and the girders then collapsed.

• Government response: President Lee Jae Myung ordered a thorough investigation into the cause and instructed officials to devise preventive measures, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung, as reported by Yonhap. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok ordered the full mobilization of equipment and personnel for rescue efforts and called for close cooperation among the Seoul city government, the land ministry, and other agencies.

• Political impact: Seoul mayoral candidates from the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) suspended their election campaigns. DP candidate Chong Won-o and incumbent Mayor Oh Se-hoon both announced the suspension on Facebook, with Oh stating, "Nothing is more important than the safety of the citizens." The leaders of both parties also cancelled campaign events, according to Yonhap.

• Transport disruption: Debris from the collapse fell onto a nearby railway, prompting the Korea Railroad Corp. (KORAIL) to suspend rail operations between Seoul Station and Sinchon Station. According to later reports, the suspension was extended, with all train service between Seoul and Haengshin Station in Goyang to be suspended starting Wednesday. KORAIL said it would operate temporary late-night trains to minimize inconvenience.

Perspectives

Seodaemun Fire Station

Official Lee Jong-woon described the events leading to the collapse, explaining that workers had stopped overnight demolition and entered the support structure for an inspection when the girders gave way. This account, cited by Yonhap and The Hindu, frames the incident as an accident during routine safety procedures.

Presidential Office

President Lee Jae Myung's office emphasized the need for a thorough investigation and measures to prevent recurrence, reflecting the government's focus on accountability and public safety. The order for full mobilization of rescue resources, relayed through Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, underscores the administration's priority on minimizing casualties.

Seoul Mayoral Candidates

Both major candidates, Chong Won-o (DP) and Oh Se-hoon (PPP), suspended their campaigns to prioritize the emergency response. Their statements, shared on Facebook, stressed citizen safety as the top concern and promised full cooperation with authorities, indicating a rare moment of bipartisan unity in the wake of the disaster.