A highway construction site collapse south of Seoul resulted in at least four fatalities and six injuries, according to fire authorities.

The incident occurred in Anseong, approximately 70 km from Seoul, at 9:49 a.m. (0049 GMT). Yonhap News Agency reported that five 50-meter concrete structures, intended to support a highway bridge, collapsed after being lifted into position by a crane.

According to Anseong fire official Ko Kyung-man, four individuals, including two Chinese nationals, died in the incident. Six others were injured, with five in critical condition, including one . Ko added, “They were working to install a deck on the bridge,” during a televised briefing. “All 10 were on the deck and fell from both sides when it collapsed.”

YTN broadcasted footage depicting the collapse of a bridge deck at the construction site.

Rescue personnel were observed inspecting damaged metal supports and broken concrete beneath the bridge’s columns.

Acting requested the mobilization of all available personnel and resources for rescue efforts and to implement safety measures preventing further damage, according to his office.

The National Fire Agency deployed three helicopters and nearly 150 officials for the search and rescue operation, while the Transport Ministry sent a team of officials to the site.

South Korea continues to experience frequent deadly accidents at industrial sites, despite introducing a law in 2022 to address safety deficiencies and penalize company management in the event of a worker’s death.

Earlier in February, a fire at a hotel construction site in Busan claimed six lives, prompting the evacuation of around 100 individuals. A helicopter rescued 14 workers who had sought refuge on a rooftop.

In June of the previous year, a fire at a lithium battery factory, attributed by authorities to quality control failures and inadequate safety training, resulted in the deaths of 23 workers.

Data released by South Korea’s labor ministry in March revealed that 598 industrial workers died in 2023, with the construction sector accounting for nearly half (303) of the fatalities. However, the total death toll decreased from 644 in 2022.