A person in their 50s who was buried due to an accident in a two-story building in Yangdeok-dong, Masan-Hoe, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam, where the second-floor floor (first-floor ceiling) suddenly collapsed, was found in a state of cardiac arrest on 1st and transported to the hospital but died.
The accident occurred around 10:46 p.m. on the 31st of last month, and three family members, including a man in his 30s, A, who were on the second floor, were rescued with minor injuries. The fire authorities mobilized 61 personnel and 20 pieces of equipment, including excavators, to continue the rescue operation for a man in his 50s, B, who was in the building. Approximately four hours later, around 2:33 a.m. that day, B was found in a state of cardiac arrest on the first floor. B was transported to a nearby hospital but ultimately died.
B was reportedly inside a food retail store on the first floor at the time. According to the police, a friend of B, who was with him and was able to escape on his own, saw the building collapse and reported it.
The building where the collapse occurred is approximately 164 square meters in total floor area and two stories high, completed in February 1978. Just before the accident, the second floor was used for dwellings, and the first floor contained a food retail store. According to Changwon City, this building, classified as a neighborhood facility, had never undergone a safety inspection since its completion.
However, it is known that the building is not subject to mandatory safety inspections under building-related laws. Administrative authorities, including Changwon City, are conducting on-site investigations to check for any additional collapse concerns. The police plan to schedule joint inspections with administrative authorities and the National Forensic Service to investigate the exact cause of the collapse.