3 Dead, 5 Trapped After Power Plant Tower Collapse in South Korea

A tragic industrial accident struck the South Korean city of Ulsan when a 60-meter (196-foot) boiler tower collapsed during demolition work at a decommissioned thermal power plant on Thursday afternoon. The collapse killed three workers and left at least five others trapped beneath the debris, according to local officials.

Nine people were working at the site when the massive structure gave way. Rescue teams managed to pull two workers to safety soon after the collapse, but another who was rescued later was pronounced dead at a hospital early Friday.

A second worker was found dead hours later, and a doctor at the scene confirmed the death of a third worker still trapped inside the rubble. Officials fear that the remaining two workers who are yet to be located have also lost their lives.

Rescue operations faced significant challenges due to unstable debris and the hazardous materials present at the site. The search was temporarily halted Friday morning amid fears of secondary collapses, as teams worked to stabilize the structure before resuming operations.

Kim Jeong-shik, an official with the Ulsan Fire Department, said more than 340 rescue workers and dozens of vehicles were deployed to the site, equipped with thermal cameras, search dogs, endoscopes, and other detection tools. “The rescue site is currently covered with large amounts of asbestos and glass fibers, and the space is extremely cramped, forcing workers to manually clear debris by hand,” Kim said in a briefing.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has directed authorities to mobilize all available personnel and equipment to rescue the remaining trapped workers, emphasizing the need to ensure the safety of emergency teams operating in the hazardous conditions.

The thermal power plant had been decommissioned in 2021 after four decades of operation. Officials stated that the boiler tower, one of three at the site, had been structurally weakened as part of ongoing demolition work, which may have contributed to the sudden collapse.

As the search continues, the tragedy has reignited discussions on demolition safety and industrial worksite regulations in South Korea — a country that has witnessed several workplace accidents in recent years despite stronger safety standards.