Alarm Sounds at Collapsed Ulsan Thermal Power Boiler Tower... Search for Missing Persons Suspended

Yonhap News Agency

On the afternoon of November 8, search operations for missing persons at the boiler tower collapse site of Korea East-West Power’s Ulsan Thermal Power Plant were suspended for over an hour after an alarm sounded at the scene.

According to the fire authorities and Korea East-West Power, at approximately 5:25 p.m. on the same day, a collapse risk detection sensor at the site was activated.

Immediately, an evacuation announcement was broadcast through the site speakers, and rescue and search personnel, along with their equipment, withdrew to a safe area.

Initially, it was reported that the alarm had sounded from Boiler Tower Unit 4, but upon confirmation, it was determined that the alarm originated from Unit 5, which had collapsed in the accident.

Authorities believe that intermittent rain or ongoing rescue operations may have triggered the sensor, but the exact cause has not yet been determined.

The sensor is a device that sounds an alarm when it detects a tilt, and the company that installed the sensor is currently investigating the cause.

As the risk cannot be disregarded until the cause is identified, rescue and search operations are expected to be delayed. Lighting vehicles have also withdrawn, leaving the site in darkness after sunset.

A fire department official stated, "It is not yet certain whether this is an actual risk or simply a malfunction. We have no choice but to suspend the search until safety is ensured."