Post by : Rameen Ariff

A devastating industrial incident unfolded in Ulsan, South Korea, on Thursday as a 60-meter (196-foot) boiler tower collapsed during demolition activities at a decommissioned thermal power plant. This tragedy resulted in the loss of three workers, with at least five others trapped under the wreckage, confirmed local authorities.

At the time of the accident, nine workers were present when the massive structure unexpectedly fell. Rescue teams quickly managed to save two workers shortly after the collapse, but another later rescued was pronounced dead in hospital early Friday.

Hours later, a second fatality was confirmed, and a physician on-site reported a third worker remains trapped within the debris. Concerns grow that the last two missing workers may also not have survived.

Rescue efforts are complicated by unstable debris and hazardous materials at the site. Operations were temporarily paused on Friday due to risks of further collapses, while teams work on stabilizing the remaining structure.

Kim Jeong-shik, an official from the Ulsan Fire Department, noted that over 340 rescue personnel and numerous vehicles have been deployed, utilizing thermal imaging cameras, search dogs, endoscopes, and other tracking tools. “The area is laden with asbestos and glass fibers, and the confined space necessitates that workers clear debris manually,” Kim explained during a press briefing.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has instructed the mobilization of all necessary personnel and resources to rescue the trapped workers, underscoring the importance of safety for emergency teams amid these perilous conditions.

The thermal plant was closed in 2021 after four decades of operation. Officials mentioned that the boiler tower, one of three at the plant, had suffered structural weakening due to ongoing demolition, potentially leading to the unexpected collapse.

This tragedy has reignited calls for enhanced safety measures in demolition operations and industrial work environments in South Korea, a country grappling with several workplace incidents in recent years, despite improved safety regulations.

#Global News