Ministry of Land's Safety Committee to Conduct On-Site Investigation of 'Gwangju Collapse Accident' Cause on the 9th

Concrete Sample Collected for Strength Analysis... Likely to Confirm Curing Defects and More

Photo by Gwangju Fire Safety Headquarters

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] An on-site investigation to determine the cause of the collapse accident at Hwajeong I-Park in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City will be conducted.

According to the police on the 7th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Construction Accident Investigation Committee and the National Forensic Service plan to begin securing concrete samples and on-site verification procedures according to the search situation.

The investigation committee will collect concrete samples at the accident site on the 9th and conduct strength analysis. They are expected to examine whether there were any issues with curing or materials.

The National Forensic Service is also reportedly reviewing plans to visit the site with the site manager and construction officials to specifically check the progress of the construction. Since the rescue operation for the two missing persons buried in the upper floors of the building has not been completed, the on-site inspection cannot proceed.

The police, who formed an investigation headquarters immediately after the accident, are continuing to summon and investigate 11 individuals suspected of professional negligence resulting in death or injury. Currently, they are focusing their investigative efforts on identifying the cause of the accident and responsibility based on evidence secured through seizure and statements from related parties.

The police pointed to 'failure to install dongbari (support scaffolding)' and 'unauthorized installation of reverse formwork (waterproof wall)' as the main causes of the collapse. The cause is expected to be determined after analysis by the investigation committee and the National Forensic Service.

An official from the investigation headquarters stated, "Depending on the search situation for the missing persons, we plan to actively proceed with the on-site verification procedures," and added, "Once the scientific proof of the cause of the accident by the investigation committee and the National Forensic Service becomes concrete, the investigation to hold those responsible for negligence accountable is also expected to accelerate accordingly."

The accident occurred around 3:46 p.m. on the 11th at the apartment construction site when the exterior walls of the 201 building from the 23rd to the 38th floors collapsed.

As a result, four workers were recovered deceased, and the locations of two missing persons have been confirmed, with rescue operations underway. They are presumed to have been responsible for window installation and fire-fighting equipment work on the 28th to 34th floors of the collapsed building.

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