Workers at a thermal power plant in Ulsan, South Korea, suffered a tragic loss when a boiler tower collapsed on Friday, killing three people and leaving two others missing. The incident occurred at the Ulsan branch of Korea East‑West Power Co, a state‑run utility firm, during a demolition project that began in 2021.
The 60‑metre‑high tower, built in 1981, was being dismantled by a subcontractor. Workers were cutting the steel supports with a saw to help the structure fall during controlled blasting. While the work happened about 25 metres above the ground, the tower suddenly collapsed, burying several workers under heavy steel and debris.
Firefighters rushed 30 metres of twisted metal and rubble to reach the collapse site. They pulled out two workers alive, but the second was later pronounced dead. A third worker was confirmed dead after a first attempt to rescue him earlier in the day. One victim, a 44‑year‑old man, suffered a cardiac arrest during the rescue effort and died around 5 a.m., according to Fire Chief Kim Jeong‑sik of Ulsan Nambu Fire Station. The chief said rescuers fought to keep him warm and administered painkillers, but he did not survive.
The fire department is still searching for the two remaining workers. Their exact locations are unknown, and it is feared they may have been trapped deeper in the collapsed tower. Initially, nine workers were reported trapped, but two were rescued early in the operation.
Safety experts suspect that a heavier load on one side of the tower—or a missing support wire—may have caused the sudden collapse. The incident raises questions about whether proper safety precautions, such as stabilizing the structure with cables, were in place during the demolition.
The Korean Ministry of Labor has announced it will conduct a thorough investigation, including searches and seizures, to determine the cause and prevent future accidents. Officials urge careful review of demolition procedures, particularly when working with large, old structures like boiler towers.
People in Ulsan and beyond are calling for stricter safety standards for industrial sites that are being decommissioned. The Ulsan community mourns the loss of valuable workers, while authorities work to uncover the factors that led to the tragic collapse.
Source: ianslive
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
