A tragic incident unfolded in Ulsan, South Korea, when a 60-meter (196-foot) tower at a decommissioned thermal power plant collapsed during demolition work, resulting in at least one fatality and leaving six individuals trapped under the debris. The collapse occurred on Thursday afternoon, prompting an immediate and extensive rescue operation.
Rescuers managed to locate one of the trapped individuals, though fears of their demise loom large as extraction efforts have been hindered by unstable rubble. Two other workers were rescued shortly after the collapse and are reported to have escaped life-threatening injuries. However, another worker, rescued later, succumbed to injuries and was pronounced dead at a hospital early Friday, according to Kim Jeong-shik, an official with Ulsan’s fire department.
The search for the remaining trapped individuals was temporarily suspended on Friday morning due to safety concerns regarding the unstable debris. Rescue operations are set to resume once stabilization measures are completed. Kim highlighted the deployment of advanced detection equipment, including thermal cameras and endoscopes, alongside rescue dogs to aid in the search efforts.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has directed officials to mobilize all available resources, including over 340 rescue workers and approximately 90 vehicles and equipment, to expedite the rescue mission while ensuring the safety of the rescue personnel.
The thermal power plant, which had been operational for 40 years, was decommissioned in 2021. Officials noted that the boiler tower, one of three at the site, had been weakened during preparations for its demolition, contributing to the catastrophic collapse.