At the demolition site of the Seosomun overpass in Seodaemun District, Seoul, part of the structure collapsed on the afternoon of the 26th, leaving two people dead and four injured.
According to the fire authorities, a report of a structural collapse came in at about 2:32 p.m. that day. Rescuers who responded pulled out six people, but a man in his 50s and a man in his 60s died.
The deceased are presumed to be related to the construction. In the early morning that day, a 2.9-centimeter step difference occurred during slab cutting, halting the demolition work, and at about 2 p.m. that day, as Seoul city officials and personnel from a safety inspection firm began an inspection, a sudden collapse reportedly occurred.
The remaining four injured people were taken to hospitals for treatment. One person was seriously injured, and three suffered minor injuries.
Lee Jong-mun, head of disaster management at the Seodaemun Fire Station, said during a status briefing at 4 p.m. that day, "We are additionally rescuing people," adding, "More rescues may be possible."
The Seosomun overpass was completed in 1966. Following a precision safety inspection that rated it "grade D," demolition work had been underway since September last year. The demolition was 89% complete and scheduled to finish next month.