Collapse at Cheonan Highway Construction Site... National Fire Mobilization Order Issued

Eight Workers Presumed Buried

Yonhap News

At around 9:49 a.m. on the 25th, a collapse accident occurred during highway construction in Cheonan, Chungnam, prompting the issuance of a national fire mobilization order.

According to the Fire Agency, firefighters arrived at the scene at 9:59 a.m. and issued a Level 2 response at around 10:03 a.m. to secure firefighting resources due to concerns over multiple casualties.

About 20 minutes after the accident, at 10:15 a.m., a national fire mobilization order was issued. Fire departments from Gyeonggi and Chungbuk, along with the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters (Chungcheong Gangwon 119 Special Rescue Team, Capital Region 119 Special Rescue Team, Siheung 119 Chemical Rescue Center, Seosan 119 Chemical Rescue Center) were dispatched to carry out rescue operations.

The fire authorities estimate that the accident occurred due to the collapse of a structure on a bridge pier during highway construction. The number of casualties is being assessed, but it is estimated that eight workers are buried.

Ko Kidong, Acting Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, issued an urgent directive regarding the accident, stating, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Employment and Labor, Fire Agency, National Police Agency, Chungcheongnam-do, Cheonan City, and other related agencies must mobilize all available equipment and personnel to fully focus on rescuing lives and pay special attention to prevent any safety accidents involving firefighters."

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