1.2 Suicides per Month This Year at Incheon Bridge... Heo Jong-sik Says "Prevention Facilities Inadequate"

41 Suicide Attempts and 30 Deaths Over 5 Years

Incheon Bridge Photo by Incheon Bridge Co., Ltd.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] There have been fatal jump incidents on Incheon Bridge at a rate of 1.2 people per month this year, prompting calls for urgent measures such as the installation of fall prevention nets.

According to data submitted to Rep. Heo Jongsik of the Democratic Party, a member of the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee (Incheon Dong-gu Michuhol-gu Gap), by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Coast Guard, there have been 15 jump incidents on Incheon Bridge from January to October 1 this year, resulting in 11 deaths.

Over the past five years, there have been a total of 41 jump incidents on Incheon Bridge, with 30 fatalities and only 11 survivors, resulting in a survival rate of 26.8%.

Considering that the number of deaths from traffic accidents on Incheon Bridge during the same period was 3 (fatality rate 0.71%), the severity of jump incidents on Incheon Bridge can be gauged.

The Incheon Bridge authorities have implemented measures such as strengthening patrols over the marine section, broadcasting emergency announcements when vehicles are parked, and establishing a 24-hour monitoring system (including CCTV) to prevent jump incidents, but these are considered insufficient to prevent falls.

Rep. Heo emphasized, "Incheon Bridge connects Incheon Airport and Songdo, with about 50,000 vehicles passing daily, serving as a gateway to South Korea," adding, "Safety must be over-responded to, and urgent measures such as installing fall prevention nets must be prepared."

Meanwhile, according to Rep. Heo's office, Seoul City has installed fall prevention barriers and raised railings on Mapo Bridge and Hangang Bridge, and established a system that analyzes human movements using AI (artificial intelligence) to dispatch rescue teams immediately if a jump risk is detected. From 2019 to June this year, the survival rate was 97.6%.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is also promoting the installation of suicide prevention facilities on general national road bridges under its jurisdiction as part of the 'Suicide Prevention Measures' led by the Office for Government Policy Coordination and the Ministry of Health and Welfare since 2019.

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