Fire in Soundproof Tunnel near Gwacheon Buk-uiwang IC... 2 Dead

Fire Spreads After Rear-End Collision Causes Blaze... Flames Extend Into Tunnel

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] On the 29th at around 1:49 PM, a fire broke out in the soundproof tunnel section near Bukuiwang IC on the 2nd Gyeongin Expressway in Galhyeon-dong, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, prompting firefighting authorities to begin extinguishing efforts.

According to the firefighting authorities, the fire is estimated to have spread significantly after igniting from a collision between a bus and a truck traveling on the expressway, which then extended into the soundproof tunnel. So far, it has been confirmed that 2 people have died from the fire, and more than 20 people have inhaled smoke and are receiving treatment. There is also a possibility of additional casualties.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The firefighting authorities judged the fire to be large in scale and issued a Level 1 response about 20 minutes after the report was received, at around 2:11 PM. Then, about 10 minutes later, at 2:22 PM, the alert was raised to Level 2, but at 2:34 PM, as the flames subsided somewhat, the alert was lowered back to Level 1.

Currently, firefighting efforts are underway with over 50 pieces of equipment including pump trucks, about 140 firefighters, and firefighting helicopters deployed.

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