Three people died when a building site in South Korea collapsed

Three workers lost their lives when a construction site collapsed in South Korea during a safety inspection, officials confirmed.

Three individuals lost their lives and three others sustained injuries after a portion of an overpass undergoing demolition in Seoul, South Korea, unexpectedly collapsed during a safety inspection on Tuesday, as reported by fire and city officials.

Authorities reported that the incident involved a section of the structure undergoing dismantling in the capital, which collapsed during a routine safety check conducted by engineers and inspectors. Emergency footage from the scene captured rescue teams diligently searching through debris, with a large slab of the overpass strewn across a roadway near a railway crossing in central Seoul.

City officials reported that signs of structural weakness were identified overnight, leading to a temporary suspension of demolition work to allow for a safety assessment to be carried out. Despite the precautions taken, the collapse happened in the afternoon while inspection personnel remained inside a section of the structure.

A spokesperson for the fire department confirmed that all six victims, both those killed and injured, were involved in the inspection process. The evaluation included senior municipal public works staff and a private-sector specialist.

The structure, constructed in 1966, was scheduled for demolition due to persistent safety concerns associated with its age and declining condition, according to city authorities.

Investigations are currently in progress to ascertain the cause of the abrupt structural failure that occurred during the inspection period.