Ulsan: A boiler tower at a thermal power plant in the southeastern city of Ulsan collapsed on Thursday, trapping seven workers and prompting an extensive rescue and search operation, authorities reported. The incident occurred at the Ulsan branch of Korea East-West Power Co., a state-run utility company, shortly after 2 p.m.
According to Yonhap News Agency, nine workers were initially reported trapped, but two were rescued early on and are not in life-threatening condition. Rescuers have since located two more individuals, with one being conscious, while efforts continue to locate the remaining five trapped workers. The two individuals currently being rescued are believed to be trapped between the ground and debris, with firefighters working diligently to clear gravel and dirt to create an escape path.
Efforts to locate and rescue the trapped individuals include considering lifting or dismantling the collapsed structure, as stated by a firefighting official. To facilitate ongoing operations after sunset, searchlights have been installed, enabling rescuers to work through the night.
The boiler tower, which stands 60 meters tall, was reportedly in the process of being dismantled using explosives. All trapped individuals are presumed to be employees of a subcontractor. President Lee Jae Myung has mandated the full mobilization of equipment and personnel to expedite the rescue and manage the accident's aftermath, as communicated by his spokesperson Kim Nam-jun. He also emphasized the importance of preventing safety-related accidents among rescue personnel.
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has issued similar directives to the interior ministry and the firefighting and police agencies. Additionally, the labor ministry announced it would conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain any violations of safety and disaster laws. A disaster response headquarters will be established in coordination with relevant government organizations.
Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon emphasized the necessity of a compulsory investigation, including search and seizure, to ascertain the accident's cause. The thermal power plant, which was constructed in 1981 and retired in 2022, was undergoing dismantlement. Korea East-West Power Co. had outsourced the dismantling project to HJ Shipbuilding and Construction Co. in January, under a 57.5 billion-won (US$39.7 million) contract, with completion anticipated by March 2026.