Collapse at retired South Korean power plant leaves at least 3 dead, 2 others presumed dead

Three Dead, Two Presumed Lost in South Korean Power Plant Tower Collapse

A deadly accident at a decommissioned power plant in South Korea has claimed at least three lives, with two additional workers presumed dead as rescue operations continue under hazardous conditions.

The incident occurred Thursday afternoon when a 60-meter (196-foot) boiler tower collapsed during demolition work at a former thermal power facility in Ulsan, an industrial city on South Korea’s southeastern coast. Nine workers were at the site when the structure gave way, burying several under massive amounts of debris.

Rescue crews immediately mobilized and managed to pull two workers to safety shortly after arriving at the scene. However, the operation quickly transformed into a grim recovery effort. One rescued worker was pronounced dead at a hospital early Friday, with two more deaths confirmed later as teams continued their painstaking search through the rubble.

“The rescue site is currently covered with large amounts of asbestos and glass fibers,” explained Kim Jeong-shik, an official with Ulsan’s fire department during a briefing. “The space is extremely cramped, forcing rescue workers to manually clear the debris by hand in order to carry out the rescue operations.”

The search effort has faced significant challenges beyond the hazardous materials. Operations were temporarily suspended Friday morning due to concerns about unstable debris that threatened the safety of rescue personnel. Officials postponed planned stabilization work before cautiously resuming the search after spotting additional workers in the rubble.

More than 340 rescue workers have been deployed to the site, supported by dozens of vehicles and specialized equipment including search dogs, thermal cameras, and endoscopes designed to detect survivors in confined spaces. Despite these resources, rescue teams believe the two remaining missing workers are likely deceased, though efforts continue to recover all victims.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has taken a personal interest in the rescue operation, instructing officials to mobilize all available resources while emphasizing the importance of maintaining safety protocols for the rescue teams working in such dangerous conditions.

The thermal power plant, which operated for 40 years before being decommissioned in 2021, was in the process of being dismantled. The collapsed boiler tower was one of three at the facility and had been deliberately weakened as part of the planned demolition process, according to officials familiar with the project.

Industrial accidents remain a significant concern in South Korea, particularly in manufacturing and construction sectors. The country has faced criticism in recent years for workplace safety issues despite government efforts to strengthen regulations. This incident adds to a troubling pattern of accidents at demolition sites, where the controlled dismantling of large structures presents unique safety challenges.

Ulsan, where the accident occurred, is one of South Korea’s major industrial centers, home to several large manufacturing facilities including the world’s largest automobile manufacturing plant operated by Hyundai. The city’s heavy industrial presence has made it economically vital but has also raised environmental and safety concerns among local residents.

Authorities have not yet released information about which company was responsible for the demolition work or whether proper safety protocols were being followed at the time of the collapse. An investigation into the cause of the accident is expected once recovery operations conclude.

Local officials have promised a thorough review of demolition practices and increased monitoring of similar projects to prevent future tragedies.