Mugunghwa Train Derails Near Yeongdeungpo Station... Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Deploys Accident Investigation Team

Won Hee-ryong "Thorough Measures to Minimize Passenger Discomfort"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 7th that it has deployed an accident investigation team to the site and is doing its best to manage the aftermath of the accident in which the Mugunghwa train traveling from Yongsan to Iksan derailed near Yeongdeungpo Station on the down track.

Earlier, at around 8:52 PM on the 6th, the Mugunghwa train derailed near Yeongdeungpo Station. The Mugunghwa train, carrying 275 passengers, had departed from Yongsan Station at 8:45 PM and was heading to Iksan Station.

As a result of the accident, 34 people were injured, and among them, 21 were transported to hospitals for treatment. Passengers walked about 150 meters from the accident site to Yeongdeungpo Station. Additionally, the blockage of the down track caused significant disruptions to the operation of some Gyeongbu and Honam line trains, including KTX and Saemaeul trains.

In response, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has dispatched the Railway Safety Policy Officer, Railway Safety Supervisors, Railway Police, and the accident investigation team to the site, and has formed a railway disaster response team to work closely with related agencies to manage the accident aftermath.

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, who is currently in Saudi Arabia on an overseas business trip, emphasized, "Please make every effort to minimize passenger inconvenience," and added, "The railway corporation, where accidents are continuous, must now change everything from one to ten."

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Eo Myung-so presided over an emergency countermeasure meeting at 11:20 PM on the 6th at the Korea Railroad Corporation headquarters in Daejeon, attended by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Korail, receiving reports on the accident status and countermeasures from the railroad corporation. Deputy Minister Eo urged, "Please mobilize all possible equipment to ensure thorough accident recovery and do your best to ensure the safety of workers."

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