At least three people have died following the collapse of a construction site in South Korea, authorities confirmed, as emergency crews continued search and rescue operations for possible survivors trapped under debris.
The incident occurred at a major construction project where workers were carrying out structural operations when part of the site suddenly gave way, causing panic and widespread damage.
According to local emergency officials, several workers were injured in addition to the confirmed fatalities, while rescue teams deployed heavy equipment and sniffer dogs to search through the wreckage.
Authorities said the exact cause of the collapse remains under investigation, though preliminary reports suggest structural failure may have contributed to the accident.
Witnesses described hearing a loud crashing sound moments before sections of the structure collapsed, sending workers scrambling for safety.
Emergency responders arrived shortly after the incident and evacuated injured workers to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Government officials expressed condolences to the families of the victims and pledged a thorough investigation into the tragedy.
“We will determine the exact cause of the accident and ensure accountability where necessary,” a local official reportedly said during a briefing at the scene.
South Korea’s Ministry of Labour and safety regulators have launched separate inquiries into whether construction and workplace safety regulations were properly followed at the site.
The collapse has renewed concerns about industrial safety standards in the country, particularly within the construction sector, which has recorded several fatal workplace incidents in recent years.
Labour groups called for stricter enforcement of safety rules and tougher penalties for companies found violating regulations designed to protect workers.
Construction activities at the site have been suspended pending the outcome of investigations.
Authorities said rescue operations would continue until all workers at the site are fully accounted for.
