Won Hee-ryong "Formation of Central Accident Response Headquarters... Emergency Inspection of Soundproof Tunnel"

On the 29th, a fire broke out in the soundproof tunnel section near Bukuiwang IC on the Second Gyeongin Expressway in Gwacheon. Firefighters and forensic investigators are moving to the scene for an on-site inspection. / Gwacheon = Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] Regarding the fire at Galhyeon Overpass near the Buk-Uiwang Interchange on the 2nd Gyeongin Expressway in Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong has ordered an emergency inspection of similar facilities.

On the 29th, Minister Won visited the Buk-Uiwang Tollgate Situation Control Room and instructed, "Establish and implement an emergency inspection plan for soundproof tunnels and similar facilities."

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has identified that there are 9 soundproof tunnels on national roads nationwide, 14 on expressways managed by the Korea Expressway Corporation, and 25 on privately financed expressways.

Minister Won expressed condolences, saying, "I mourn the many casualties caused by this unexpected accident," and added, "We will form a Central Accident Response Headquarters to accurately determine the cause of the accident together with the fire authorities and police."

Earlier, at around 1:49 PM on the 29th, a fire broke out in the Galhyeon Overpass soundproof tunnel (830m) near the Buk-Uiwang Interchange (IC) on the route from Anyang to Seongnam. The fire started from a 5-ton waste grab truck carrying waste. As the fire rapidly spread, 5 people died, and 37 were injured with burns and smoke inhalation.

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