Tragic Discovery: Missing Worker Found Dead After Tunnel Collapse in Gwangmyeong 💔

In a devastating turn of events, the missing worker from the tunnel collapse at the Shinansan Line construction site in Gwangmyeong, South Korea, has been found dead after six days of intense search efforts. The 50-year-old employee of POSCO E&C, identified as Mr. A, was recovered from the site on April 16th.

The Discovery 🔍

Rescue workers discovered Mr. A’s body at approximately 8:11 PM KST, about 125 hours after the initial collapse. He was located roughly 21 meters (approximately 69 feet) underground, near a container that had been used as an education facility on site. The area was filled with debris and soil.

Heartbreaking Words 😔

Hong Geon-pyo, head of fire prevention at the Gwangmyeong Fire Station, expressed his condolences, stating, “We used excavators and cranes to remove debris and searched up to the container area where the missing person was expected to be. We are sorry that we could not deliver news of rescue to the family who waited up all night.” He noted the worker was found covered in soil and that the container was not intact.

A City Mourns 😢

The mayor of Gwangmyeong, Park Seung-won, also conveyed his condolences to the family, promising the city’s full support in managing the aftermath of the accident.

The Incident and Rescue Efforts ⏱️

The collapse occurred on April 11th at a section of the Shinansan Line 복선전철 (bokseon jeoncheol – double-track railway) construction site. Initially, two workers were trapped: Mr. A and a 20-year-old excavator operator, Mr. B. Mr. B was rescued about 13 hours after the collapse. However, communication with Mr. A was lost shortly after the incident, complicating rescue attempts.

Search efforts were hampered by poor weather conditions and unstable ground, leading to multiple temporary suspensions. With the recovery of Mr. A’s body, the search operation has concluded, and focus will now shift to securing the collapse site.

What is Shinansan Line? 🤔

The Shinansan Line is a railway that will connect Gwangmyeong and Seoul more efficiently.

The Shinansan Line is a commuter rail line under construction that will connect Seoul to satellite cities in southwestern Gyeonggi Province, including Gwangmyeong.