Ongoing Search for One Missing Worker After Subway Construction Site Collapse in South Korea
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Synopsis
As the search continues for a missing worker from a subway construction site collapse in Gwangmyeong, South Korea, authorities are leveraging advanced rescue operations. The incident occurred on April 12, with weather conditions posing further challenges to the ongoing efforts.
Key Takeaways
- Search efforts are ongoing for a missing worker.
- The collapse occurred at a subway construction site.
- Three workers were rescued while one remains unaccounted for.
- Weather conditions may affect rescue operations.
- Authorities have issued an evacuation order for local residents.
Gwangmyeong, April 12 (NationPress) The search for a worker missing following a subway construction site collapse in Gwangmyeong, located just south of Seoul, has entered its second day, according to officials.
The incident at the Sinansan Line construction site occurred at 3:13 p.m. on Friday, resulting in a section of the road above ground caving in and damaging several adjacent buildings, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
Initially, five workers were unreachable, but three were located safely. An excavator operator in his 20s was rescued after spending approximately 13 hours trapped about 30 meters underground.
Authorities are urgently trying to locate the fifth worker, a man in his 50s, and have deployed seven search-and-rescue dogs while planning to utilize heavy machinery as part of the ongoing operation.
Police and firefighters are encountering challenges in determining the missing worker's precise location, despite efforts to locate him via his mobile phone.
The local weather agency has predicted rainfall of up to 40 mm, accompanied by thunder and lightning across the broader capital area until early Sunday morning, which may hinder rescue efforts.
A police official stated, "Given that someone is still unaccounted for, we are prioritizing all our resources on rescue operations. Rain is expected later today, so we aim to conclude our efforts before noon."
Meanwhile, police are conducting an initial investigation to ascertain the cause of the collapse.
Earlier on Friday, the site had been evacuated after authorities were warned of a potential collapse due to the discovery of cracks in several pillars.
The incident led to an evacuation order for approximately 2,400 nearby residents, which was lifted just past midnight following safety inspections. Around 220 individuals who spent the night in shelters have now returned home.
