South Korea: Search for missing worker at collapsed subway construction site continues for 5th day

IANS April 15, 2025 188 views

A critical rescue operation is underway in Gwangmyeong, South Korea, where a subway construction site collapsed, leaving one worker missing underground. Emergency teams have been searching for five consecutive days, battling challenging conditions including rain and soil-filled spaces. Only one worker remains unaccounted for, with 95 personnel and specialized equipment deployed to locate him. The search continues with firefighters working to safely access the deepest parts of the collapsed site.

"We need to secure a safe entry to speed up the search" - Firefighting Official
Gwangmyeong, April 15: Rescue workers continued their search for a fifth day Tuesday to find a worker missing in the collapse of a subway construction site in the city of Gwangmyeong.

Key Points

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Rescue efforts persist for worker missing since Friday collapse

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95 personnel deployed with specialized equipment

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Underground search complicated by soil and rain

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Worker presumed trapped 35-40 metres deep

The construction site for the Sinansan Line collapsed Friday, causing a section of the road above ground to cave in and damaging several buildings, Yonhap news agency reported.

All but one worker in his 50s were found safe or rescued.

The search for the missing person continued overnight with 95 personnel and 31 pieces of equipment, including four fire trucks fitted with smoke extraction devices and lamps, according to the Gyeonggi Fire Service.

Seven rescue workers climbed down into the construction site to search the interior but found no signs of the missing worker, officials said.

Rescue workers also cleared wreckage 20 to 30 metres underground and from a container where the missing person was last spotted, but failed to find him.

The container is said to be filled with soil and sand, making it difficult for authorities to search the interior.

"We need to secure a safe entry so that we can place at least a small-sized crane at the bottom of the underground tunnel, which would speed up the search, but the process was slowed down by last night's rain," a firefighting official said.

The missing worker is presumed to be located 35 to 40 metres underground, but his exact location and condition remain unconfirmed.

Reader Comments

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James L.
My heart goes out to the missing worker's family. Can't imagine how stressful this must be for them. Hope they find him soon 🙏 The rescue teams are doing an amazing job under such difficult conditions.
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Sarah K.
This is so tragic. Makes me wonder about construction safety standards - how does a collapse like this even happen in 2024? Hoping for a miracle but after 5 days... 😔
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Minho P.
As someone who works in construction, this hits close to home. The soil and sand filling the container makes this especially dangerous. Rescue teams are risking their lives too - true heroes.
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Aisha R.
While I admire the rescue efforts, I have to ask - why isn't there better technology for situations like this? 35-40 meters underground shouldn't be this hard to search in modern times.
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Thomas Y.
The rain slowing down operations must be so frustrating for everyone involved. Nature really isn't cooperating with this rescue mission. Keeping the worker and his family in my thoughts tonight.

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Tags:
South Korea Subway Collapse Gwangmyeong Construction Accident Rescue Operation Sinansan Line
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