"Proceeding Cautiously Amid Additional Collapse Concerns"… Intensified 'Rescue and Search' in Gwangju During Lunar New Year Holiday

19th Day Since the Gwangju Hwajeong I-Park Collapse Accident

On the 18th day since the collapse accident at Hwajeong I-Park in Seo-gu, Gwangju, paramedics are conducting rescue operations for the missing on the afternoon of the 28th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The rescue operation for the buried victims in the collapse accident at Hwajeong I-Park in Seo-gu, Gwangju continues without pause even during the Lunar New Year holiday. Although the deployment of heavy machinery is difficult due to concerns about additional building collapse, the authorities are committed to doing their best to rescue the missing persons as safely and quickly as possible. The rescue teams plan to prioritize the operation of breaking through the floor and walls on the 29th floor of the apartment and removing debris to recover two buried victims on the 27th and 28th floors.

According to the Central Accident Response Headquarters and the Regional Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 29th, the rescue authorities will continue 24-hour search and rescue activities for the missing persons throughout the Lunar New Year holiday. The rescue teams found one missing person in the debris on the 27th floor on the 25th and another missing person on the 28th floor on the 27th. However, the recovery work has been slow to progress.

The collapsed apartment has large debris accumulated between the 26th and 28th floors, and due to the apartment’s structure, it is difficult to deploy heavy machinery, making the rescue operation challenging. Forcibly removing the hardened debris, which is a combination of rebar and concrete, could cause additional building collapse. Vibrations generated during the removal process could cause debris to fall, further delaying the rescue operation and negatively affecting the safety of the rescuers.

Central part of Hwajeong I-Park building and separated south exterior wall (Photo by Ministry of Employment and Labor)

A slab with cracks, though not collapsed (Photo by Ministry of Employment and Labor)

After holding a meeting the previous day to discuss rescue plans, the Central Accident Response Headquarters explained, "Although it may take some time, we have decided to drill through the wall on the 29th floor, where the risk of debris falling is relatively low, and then gradually descend to the 28th and 27th floors to conduct rescue and search operations simultaneously." The 29th floor is known to have a relatively low risk of debris falling, making it easier to break through the floor and sequentially descend to the 28th and 27th floors.

Currently, if rescuers cannot access certain spaces, they first conduct endoscopic searches by drilling holes in the floor and walls. Upon discovering missing persons, they remove debris using hydraulic cutters and secure a minimal entry path to proceed with the operation. A Central Accident Response Headquarters official said, "We have organized two rescue teams of 30 members each to conduct 24-hour search and rescue operations," adding, "3461 personnel from 19 agencies and 738 pieces of equipment are deployed, with about 200 rescuers on duty daily."

To expedite the removal of internal debris, a hoist (lift) capable of transporting rescue personnel, workers, and light equipment to the ground and upper floors will be installed inside the building’s shear walls by the end of this month. On the premise of securing building stability, plans are also being considered to dismantle large debris using crushers and remove it externally with tower cranes.

On the sixth day since the collapse accident at Hwajeong I-Park in Seo-gu, Gwangju, the Fire Agency released a 70-second video on the 16th showing the search site for the missing persons. The video captures large holes that are wide enough to clearly see inside the building.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Efforts are also being intensified to implement building safety measures that ensure the safety of rescue personnel. The Central Accident Response Headquarters plans to reinforce risk factors such as the building’s south exterior wall, southeast columns, tower crane, large debris piled on both sides of the exterior wall, and cracked floor slabs inside the building by the end of this month. The columns connected to the tower crane have been secured with wires on the 34th and 38th floors, and the 25-ton large debris on the exterior wall is scheduled to be secured with wires between the 22nd and 28th floors by the 31st.

Minister of Employment and Labor and head of the Central Accident Response Headquarters, An Kyung-duk, bowed his head the previous day, saying, "We deeply apologize for the delay in searching and rescuing the affected workers." Minister An emphasized, "Since the possibility of additional building collapse cannot be completely ruled out, we have no choice but to proceed with patience and caution," adding, "We will swiftly implement measures to rescue the additionally discovered affected workers."

However, it is currently difficult to predict when the rescue operation will be completed. A Central Accident Response Headquarters official said, "If risk reduction measures are properly implemented, more personnel and equipment can be mobilized, so the situation is expected to improve compared to now," adding, "We will proactively review various plans in advance in case the search and rescue operation becomes excessively prolonged."

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