3 Killed and 3 Others Injured After Highway Overpass Collapses

A deadly overpass collapse in South Korea left at least three people dead and three others injured after part of a decades-old bridge gave way during demolition work.

The tragedy happened around 2:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, May 26, at the Seosomun Overpass in Seoul, according to multiple reports.

Officials said crews were working on the railway section of the overpass when the structure suddenly collapsed.

The bridge had already shown signs of trouble before the disaster. According to reports, workers were cutting concrete slabs when part of one slab sank, raising concerns about a possible structural problem.

Work was stopped, and a safety inspection was launched.

But during that inspection, part of the bridge collapsed, sending debris crashing down onto workers and vehicles below.

“It appears that the girder suddenly snapped, causing the slab and scaffolding to collapse,” a source with the Seoul Municipal Government told The Chosun Daily.

Three workers, described as men in their 50s and 60s, were killed. They were among 12 workers at the site.

Three other people were injured and taken for medical treatment.

The collapse triggered a major emergency response as first responders searched through the wreckage. Officials also blocked off traffic around the site and suspended some railway operations to Seoul Station.

The Seoul Municipal Government said city bus routes passing through the area were temporarily rerouted to prevent more traffic problems and disruption.

The Seosomun Overpass first opened in 1966 and had been undergoing demolition since September because of aging infrastructure concerns. Those problems reportedly included falling debris and previous safety incidents.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung offered condolences to the families of the victims and called for a full investigation into what caused the collapse.

He also urged officials to come up with measures to prevent another tragedy like this from happening again.