Ulsan: A South Korea power plant collapse in the southeastern city of Ulsan killed three workers and left two others missing on Friday. Firefighters rushed to the scene after a 60-metre boiler tower crashed during demolition work at the Korea East-West Power Co. thermal plant.
Rescue teams pulled out two workers alive earlier, but three others lost their lives. Officials fear that two more remain buried under tons of debris. Firefighters continued to cut through 30 metres of steel and concrete to reach those trapped.
The 60-metre structure, built in 1981 and retired in 2021, was under demolition when it suddenly caved in. Investigators believe that workers cutting the steel supports may have placed an uneven load on the tower, causing it to fall.
Kim Jeong-sik from Ulsan Nambu Fire Station said his team fought hard to keep victims alive under extreme pressure. “We gave them painkillers and worked nonstop, but the collapse happened too fast,” he explained.
The South Korea power plant collapse has triggered a national debate about industrial safety and demolition regulations. The Labour Ministry has launched an on-site probe and promised to hold those responsible accountable.
Experts now call for stronger safety checks at decommissioned power plants to prevent similar tragedies. As rescue operations continue, Ulsan mourns the lives lost in one of South Korea’s most shocking industrial accidents this year.
–IANS
