South Korea: Search Efforts Renewed for Missing Worker at Gwangmyeong Subway Construction Collapse
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Synopsis
Rescue teams in Gwangmyeong are continuing their search for a missing worker following a subway site collapse. The worker, who has been missing for over 48 hours, is believed to be trapped several meters underground. Efforts are ongoing despite safety concerns due to hazardous conditions at the site.
Key Takeaways
- Rescue operations for a missing worker resumed on Sunday.
- The worker has been unaccounted for over 48 hours.
- Three other workers were found safe after the collapse.
- Conditions at the site remain hazardous for rescue efforts.
- Authorities are focused on safety while trying to expedite the search.
Gwangmyeong, April 13 (NationPress) - Rescue teams have resumed their efforts on Sunday to find a worker who has been unaccounted for over 48 hours after a subway construction site in Gwangmyeong collapsed, according to officials.
The incident occurred at the construction site for the Sinansan Line in Gwangmyeong, located just south of Seoul, where a section of the road above gave way, damaging nearby buildings, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
Rescue operations were restarted at 2:10 p.m. to locate a worker in his 50s, who has been inaccessible since the incident. Operations were temporarily halted on Saturday due to safety concerns caused by deteriorating weather conditions.
This worker was one of five initially reported missing. While three workers were located safely, another—a young excavator operator—was rescued 13 hours post-collapse from approximately 30 meters underground.
The missing worker is believed to be located between 35 to 40 meters underground, but his exact whereabouts and condition are still uncertain.
“Given the numerous dangers present at the collapse site, it is currently impossible to access the lower section of the underground tunnel,” stated an official from the municipal fire department.
“We will start by dismantling safety barriers around the area. Our team is committed to executing the operation as quickly as possible,” he added.
