Overview
- The Seosomun Overpass in western Seoul partially collapsed during demolition work on Tuesday, killing three workers and injuring three others as rescue operations ended.
- Witnesses and engineering experts said inspectors entered a visibly weakened section after signs of deck subsidence earlier that day, and authorities are examining whether required safety reinforcements and demolition procedures were followed.
- Korail said debris damaged overhead power lines and forced the suspension or rerouting of more than 120 KTX high-speed trains, with nationwide rail capacity operating at roughly 80 percent while recovery and inspections continue.
- Police and the Seoul Western District prosecutors formed dedicated task forces and carried out joint forensic inspections with the National Forensic Service and labor safety agencies to determine cause and possible criminal negligence.
- The structure dated to 1966 had received a D-grade safety rating in 2019 and was being dismantled since August; the president linked the crash to broader safety-management failures and ordered strict accountability that could include charges for officials or contractors if violations are found.