👷‍♂️ 20s Worker Rescued After 13 Hours in Collapsed Tunnel! 🚨

In a dramatic turn of events, a construction worker in his 20s was successfully rescued after being trapped for approximately 13 hours following a collapse at a Shinansan Line construction site in Gwangmyeong, South Korea. The incident occurred on April 11 at a site in Iljik-dong. Let’s dive into the details!

The Rescue Operation ⏱️

The young excavator operator, identified as Mr. A, was trapped about 30 meters (approximately 98 feet) underground following the collapse. Emergency responders worked tirelessly through the night, finally managing to free him at around 4:27 AM on April 12. Miraculously, he was conscious and his life was not in danger. 🙌

Mr. A was able to communicate with the rescue team while they carefully removed debris that was pinning him down. He has been transferred to a hospital for a thorough check-up, considering the long period he was trapped.

The Incident Details 🚧

The collapse occurred at a section of the Shinansan Line underground tunnel construction site, which is being managed by POSCO E&C. The collapse involved both the tunnel and part of the road above it. Initially, five of the 18 workers on site were unaccounted for. Three were quickly confirmed safe, one was Mr. A who was rescued, but unfortunately, one worker in his 50s remains missing. Search operations are still ongoing. 😔

Evacuation and Safety Measures 🏘️

In the immediate aftermath, Gwangmyeong City evacuated residents from nearby apartments and buildings—about 2,400 people in total—as a precaution against potential secondary incidents. Most sought shelter with relatives and friends, while others stayed at designated shelters such as the Citizen’s Gymnasium and local schools.

According to Lee Seong-hae from the Korea National Railway, safety monitoring devices installed in the surrounding apartments have not detected any significant changes since the incident. Experts are continuously reviewing the data to determine when residents can safely return to their homes.

Ongoing Investigation 🕵️‍♀️

The exact cause of the collapse is currently under investigation. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has established an accident response headquarters. Nextrain Co., Ltd., the project’s operator, has also set up an accident management headquarters at the site. The Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency has launched a preliminary investigation into the cause of the accident.

Stay tuned for more updates as the investigation unfolds. 🙏

Note: Shinansan Line is a subway line that connects Seoul and Ansan.