Seosomun Overpass collapsed during demolition work. [Photo = Yonhap News]

A severely mangled official vehicle. [Photo = Yonhap News]Three people have died so far in the collapse of an overhead walkway section during demolition work on the Seosomun Overpass in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. 

According to the fire department, a portion of the Seosomun Overpass, which was undergoing demolition, collapsed around 2:33 PM on the 26th, hitting vehicles, workers, and pedestrians below. 

The accident resulted in the deaths of a site manager in his 60s, a construction company supervisor in his 60s, and an external expert in structural inspection in his 50s. The three injured individuals are reportedly officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seodaemun Community Center. They have been transported to nearby hospitals, including Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, for treatment.

An official from the Seoul Metropolitan Government stated, "A differential of approximately 2.9 cm occurred during the slab cutting work conducted between 1 AM and 2:30 AM this morning," adding, "We halted the cutting work and were conducting a safety inspection at 2 PM." 

An official from the Seodaemun Fire Station relayed, "It is presumed that the girder collapsed while we were entering between the girders for a safety inspection diagnosis at the overpass demolition site." 

A girder is a core structural component that directly supports the heavy load applied to the slab (deck) of a bridge and transmits it to the pillars (piers) below. 

Meanwhile, the Seosomun Overpass is a 335-meter-long and 14.9-meter-wide road composed of 18 piers connecting Chungjeongno Station and City Hall Station. It was completed in 1966 but was deemed dilapidated and demolition work began in August last year. 

Previous Article, 4:31 PM on the 26th 

[Breaking News] Seosomun Overpass Collapses During Demolition... 6 People, Including Pedestrians, Trapped

A section of the Seosomun Overpass collapsed during demolition in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, trapping 6 people, including pedestrians. [Photo = Yonhap News] An accident occurred at the Seosomun Overpass demolition site in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, where a portion of the overhead walkway collapsed.

At approximately 2:33 PM on the 26th, a part of the overpass and construction debris fell, hitting vehicles and workers below, resulting in a total of 6 injuries. Among the 6 people, 5 were workers and 1 was a pedestrian.

Four of them were rescued, and two are still being searched for. A man in his 50s who was rescued was transported to the hospital in what is presumed to be cardiac arrest. The other three men, in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, sustained injuries to their backs, heads, and ribs, respectively.

The fire department began rescue operations at the scene just 6 minutes after receiving the report, at 2:38 PM. At 2:49 PM, they issued a Level 1 response, deploying personnel and equipment to the site. The police also cordoned off roads at a distance to prevent secondary damage.

The collapsed overpass covered the railway tracks beneath it, currently causing a halt in train operations between Seoul Station and Sinchon Station. The demolition of the Seosomun Overpass was reportedly in its final stages.