In the past five years, construction accidents such as falls and collapses have resulted in over 1,200 deaths and more than 30,000 injuries.
According to data submitted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to Rep. Min Hong-cheol of the Democratic Party of Korea, there were a total of 1,211 deaths and 30,340 injuries due to construction accidents over the past five years (2020-2024).
By year, the numbers are as follows: ▲ 2020, 251 deaths and 4,820 injuries; ▲ 2021, 271 deaths and 5,302 injuries; ▲ 2022, 238 deaths and 6,114 injuries; ▲ 2023, 244 deaths and 7,351 injuries; ▲ 2024, 207 deaths and 6,753 injuries.
Regarding the causes of fatal accidents, 'falls' accounted for the highest number (622 deaths), followed by 'being struck by objects' (221 deaths), 'being caught in' (121 deaths), 'burns' (38 deaths), and 'collisions' (22 deaths).
'Falling' (7,109 injuries) was the leading cause of injuries, followed by 'falls' (4,612 injuries), 'being struck by objects' (4,056 injuries), 'being caught in' (3,112 injuries), 'collisions' (2,528 injuries), and 'cuts and lacerations' (2,144 injuries).
This statistic compiles data on accidents that resulted in either fatalities or injuries requiring at least three days off, as registered in the government's Construction Project Comprehensive Information Network (CSI). Under the Construction Technology Promotion Act, construction contractors are obligated to report such incidents.
Rep. Min noted, 'Deaths and accidents from construction accidents are continuous,' and emphasized the need for more comprehensive industrial accident prevention measures to prevent tragic incidents where precious lives are sacrificed at workplaces.