Units 4 and 6 of Ulsan Thermal Power Plant to Be Dismantled Due to Additional Collapse Risk... Blasting Preparations Underway

The Central Accident Response Headquarters announced on November 8 that Units 4 and 6 of the Ulsan Thermal Power Plant, which have been identified as having a risk of additional collapse following the boiler tower collapse at Unit 5, will be dismantled.

The decision was made at a meeting held at 11 p.m. the previous day, attended by Kim Younghoon, Minister of Employment and Labor, and Kim Seonghwan, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, who serve as heads of the headquarters, along with representatives of the victims' families.

At the site of the Ulsan Thermal Power Plant boiler tower collapse accident, an ambulance is transporting a buried victim who was rescued in a state of cardiac arrest on the morning of the 7th. Photo by Yonhap News

Units 4 and 6, located next to the collapsed Unit 5, had already undergone most of the weakening work necessary for demolition, raising warnings about the risk of further collapse. This has also hindered rescue operations, leading to ongoing discussions about whether to proceed with dismantling or reinforcement.

According to the Central Accident Response Headquarters, preparations for blasting began immediately after the decision to dismantle Units 4 and 6 was made. The headquarters expects that once Units 4 and 6 are dismantled, the pace of rescue efforts will accelerate.

The demolition is expected to take place on November 11.

An official from Ulsan City, speaking with reporters in front of the rear gate of the Ulsan Thermal Power Plant on the morning of the 8th, stated, "Once the parts needed to connect the explosives are ready, the blasting will likely take place on Tuesday (the 11th)."