Four Dead, Six Injured in South Korea Highway Collapse

World

A tragic accident at a highway construction site in Anseong, about 65 kilometers south of Seoul, has claimed the lives of four workers and left six others injured after an elevated section of the structure collapsed on Tuesday morning.

The National Fire Agency reported that 10 workers were present at the site when the accident occurred at 9:49 AM local time (00:49 GMT). Five steel structures, each 50 meters (164 feet) in length, collapsed, trapping the workers beneath the rubble. Emergency responders rushed to the scene to rescue the injured and recover the bodies of those who perished.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the collapse. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport has dispatched a team to investigate the incident.

Hyundai Engineering, the company responsible for the construction, issued a statement expressing deep regret over the loss of lives and injuries. "We are actively cooperating with the relevant authorities to ensure a swift site recovery and a thorough investigation into the exact cause of the accident," the company said, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The collapse has raised concerns over construction safety standards, and officials are expected to conduct a comprehensive review of the project. Further updates on the investigation are anticipated in the coming days.