The Ulsan thermal power plant construction and building accident investigation committee said on the 17th it would extend the investigation period by three months to June 17 to more closely determine the cause of the collapse during demolition work at the Ulsan thermal power plant on Nov. 6 last year.
Starting with a kickoff meeting on Nov. 18 last year, the committee has continued investigations to identify the cause and prepare measures to prevent a recurrence through on-site inspections, hearings of related parties, and investigations and research services by external professional institutions.
In the process, it decided to extend the investigation period, judging that additional steps were needed to accurately determine the cause, including examining the collapsed sections buried in the debris and conducting structural analysis reflecting material strength test results.
Chairperson Lee Kyung-gu of the committee said, "We are working to identify a reliable cause of the accident through meticulous engineering analysis," and added, "We will thoroughly conclude the investigation in the remaining period and prepare effective measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents in the future."
At the Ulsan thermal power plant on Nov. 6 last year, the No. 5 thermal power boiler tower, measuring 25 meters wide, 15.5 meters long, and 63 meters high, collapsed. The accident killed seven people, including an employee of subcontractor Korea Kacoh for developer HJ Shipbuilding & Construction and a contract worker, and injured two others.