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Demolition began last year…work expected to finish in July
A section of the Seosomun overpass under demolition in central Seoul collapsed, paralyzing surrounding traffic routes.
According to fire and police authorities, at about 2:33 p.m. on the 26th the road deck gave way at the demolition site in Seosomun, Seodaemun District, injuring six construction workers and personnel.
Authorities secured the scene and implemented measures to prevent further debris from falling while investigators work to determine the exact cause and sequence of events.
Completed in 1966, the Seosomun overpass had long shown severe deterioration and recurrent safety problems. Concrete spalling and damage to reinforcing strands were reported repeatedly, and a prior safety assessment assigned it a D rating.
Seoul began demolition for reconstruction in April of last year. Since September the road has been fully closed for the project, and crews were performing final tasks aimed at completing the work by July 29.
The accident was particularly striking because the project was already 87.19% complete. The total project budget is approximately 11,962,000,000 KRW (approximately 8.97 million USD).
The project authority is Seoul City’s Urban Infrastructure Headquarters, and the contractor is Heunghwa. Construction supervision is being handled by Suseong Engineering. The total project budget is 11,962,000,000 KRW (approximately 8.97 million USD).
The collapse also caused disruptions to rail services.
Train service between Seoul Station and Sinchon Station was suspended. KTX service between Haengsin Station and Seoul Station was halted, leaving KTX operating only between Seoul Station and Yongsan Station. KTX trains on the Gangneung and Jungang lines are currently operating only as far as Cheongnyangni Station.
Following the accident, mayoral candidates Jung Won-o and Oh Se-hoon both paused campaign activities and visited the site. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok instructed officials to identify nearby medical facilities able to receive patients and to expedite transport of the injured to minimize casualties.
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