Three people are dead and three others injured after the Seosomun Overpass, an ageing structure in western Seoul, partially collapsed on Tuesday, 26 May while undergoing scheduled demolition work. Parts of the overpass and construction debris came crashing down at 2:32 pm local time, in one of South Korea's most serious infrastructure accidents in recent years.

How the Collapse Unfolded

According to Lee Jong-woon, an official at the Seodaemun Fire Station, workers had paused overnight demolition operations and entered the space between the girders for a safety inspection at around 2 pm when the girders appeared to give way. A total of 13 people were near the site at the time; seven evacuated safely, while six were caught in the incident.

Two men — one in his 50s and another in his 60s — were killed at the scene. A third victim, initially listed as injured, was later pronounced dead, raising the confirmed death toll to three. The three surviving injured workers — men in their 30s, 40s, and 50s — sustained injuries to the waist, head, and ribs, officials said.

Disruption to Rail Services

Debris from the collapse fell onto a nearby railway line, prompting the Korea Railroad Corp. to suspend rail operations between Seoul Station and Sinchon Station. The suspension caused significant disruption to commuters in the South Korean capital. The overpass had been scheduled for full demolition by early June.

Government Response

President Lee Jae Myung ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident and directed officials to devise measures to prevent a recurrence, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung. The President also called for utmost efforts to treat the injured and manage the aftermath.

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok ordered the full mobilisation of equipment and personnel for rescue operations. Kim directed the Seoul city government, the land ministry, and related agencies to cooperate fully on rescue efforts, identify capable medical facilities, and swiftly transport the injured to minimise casualties. He also instructed officials to restrict access to the site and ensure the safety of rescue workers.

Investigation and Next Steps

Later on Tuesday, the Seoul metropolitan government activated its disaster and safety countermeasures headquarters. Investigators are expected to examine whether safety protocols during the demolition were followed and whether the structure's condition was adequately assessed before work resumed. This comes amid broader scrutiny of ageing infrastructure across South Korean cities, where a number of older overpasses and bridges have faced deferred maintenance. The outcome of the investigation is likely to shape demolition safety regulations going forward.