48 People Injured in Namwon Samae2 Tunnel Incident; Perpetrator Sent to Prosecutors

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety Investigation, Failure to Maintain Safe Distance and Comply with Speed Regulations Are the Causes

Photo by Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hong Jaehee] The perpetrators of the multi-vehicle collision fire accident at Samae2 Tunnel in Namwon, Jeonbuk, which caused 48 casualties and approximately 983 million KRW in property damage, have been sent to the prosecution.

Namwon Police Station announced on the morning of the 22nd that six people were indicted for violating the Road Traffic Act, and another six were sent to the prosecution with a non-prosecution opinion.

Among the six indicted, Mr. A, who caused the initial chain collision accident but failed to take safety measures, is charged with violating the Road Traffic Act, while others who did not comply with safe driving obligations are charged with violating the Special Act on the Settlement of Traffic Accidents.

Additionally, six people, including those who died at the time of the accident or drivers who had comprehensive insurance, were sent to the prosecution with a non-prosecution opinion.

The multi-vehicle collision fire accident at Samae2 Tunnel (towards Wanju), which occurred on February 18, was confirmed by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s disaster cause investigation to have been caused by multiple vehicles failing to maintain safe distances and comply with speed regulations.

The Samae2 Tunnel accident occurred when a total of 32 vehicles collided in a chain reaction on an icy road surface. After the first collision involving two trailers, a tanker carrying 18,000 liters of nitric acid overturned, causing a fire.

The accident resulted in 5 deaths, 2 serious injuries, and 41 minor injuries. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety plans to establish regulations for the installation and operation of section control equipment in dangerous tunnel sections.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.