The worst disaster since the Gwangju Hakdong accident... 'Highway collapse'

4 deaths and 10 injuries... the highest since the Hakdong disaster with 17 victims (Seoul=News1) Reporter Junwoo Jeon = The collapse accident on Seoul-Sejong Expressway is considered the worst disaster since the Hakdong incident in Gwangju in 2021. The consortium, including the construction company Hyundai Engineering and Hoban Construction, is also expected to face severe administrative sanctions.

According to industry reports on the 26th, on the previous day, the collapse of the bridge deck at Construction Section 9 on the Seoul-Sejong Expressway resulted in a total of 10 casualties: 4 deaths, 5 serious injuries, and 1 minor injury.

This was a site where Hyundai Engineering (064540), Hoban Industries, and Beomyang Construction Consortium were carrying out construction. The subcontractor is Jangheon Industries.

Since the Hakdong disaster in June 2021, the human casualties caused by collapse accidents have been the most severe. The Hakdong disaster occurred at the redevelopment site of Hakdong 4 District in Dong-gu, Gwangju, where a building measuring five stories above ground and one underground was under demolition and collapsed, hitting a city bus stopped at a bus stop, resulting in 9 passengers dying and 8 being injured.

 

The construction company was suspended from business for 8 months and fined 460 million won due to the Hakdong disaster, and is currently undergoing an administrative lawsuit. Regarding the Hwajeong-dong collapse incident, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has requested Seoul City to revoke registration or suspend operations for one year, and Seoul City plans to make a final decision soon.

A high level of administrative sanctions is expected for Hyundai Engineering, which had 10 casualties.

According to Article 82 of the Construction Industry Act, if more than five people die due to negligent or willful poor construction, business suspension can be imposed within one year. Article 83 states that if significant damage causes public danger, the registration of the business operator can be canceled.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has established an accident investigation committee and begun investigating the cause of the accident and fault. Depending on the investigation results, the level of administrative action is expected to be determined, either by the ministry's own authority or by requesting sanctions from the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Hyundai Engineering issued a statement the previous day, saying, "We sincerely apologize for the loss of precious lives and injuries caused by a human accident at our construction site," and added, "We are actively cooperating with relevant authorities to quickly resolve the site situation and accurately determine the cause of the accident, and we will make every effort and take all necessary measures."

With the revision of the Enforcement Decree of the Basic Construction Industry Act in 2022, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport can take administrative measures ex officio for serious construction site accidents. For poor construction, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is expected to take ex officio measures, while for other management deficiencies, Seoul City is expected to request measures.

In 2023, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport issued a suspension of business for 8 months to the construction company responsible for the collapse of the parking lot at Incheon Geomdan Apartments, exercising its authority as the minister. At the same time, it requested Seoul City to impose a 2-month penalty due to poor quality and safety management.

 

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There was an article stating that out of a total of 8 casualties, 3 people had died.

 

It is reported that out of a total of 10 casualties, 4 have died.

 

It's very unfortunate about the major accident, but the cost of the collapsed materials and equipment during that process must be enormous...

 

I'm feeling heartbroken in many ways.