🚨 Tunnel Collapse in Gwangmyeong: Damaged Support Pillars Revealed Before Disaster 🚨

Hey everyone! 👋 Today, we’re diving into a concerning incident involving the Shinansan Line tunnel collapse in Gwangmyeong, South Korea. YTN has exclusively obtained photos showing the extent of damage to the tunnel’s support pillars *before* the actual collapse. Let’s break it down.

What Happened? 🧐

The incident involves the construction of the Shinansan Line, a new commuter rail line intended to alleviate traffic congestion in the Seoul Metropolitan Area. During the construction of a tunnel section in Gwangmyeong, part of the tunnel collapsed, raising serious safety concerns.

Cracked or Collapsed? The Real Story 📸

Initially reported as ‘pillar cracks,’ the situation was much worse. The photos reveal that several concrete pillars supporting the tunnel’s central arch were severely damaged. Some were broken, with large gaps and exposed rebar. This damage was evident *before* the official report of the incident.

Image for illustrative purposes only. Actual photos obtained by YTN show significant damage.

Timeline Discrepancies ⏰

Here’s where it gets tricky. The damage was first noted around 9:50 PM, but authorities weren’t notified until nearly three hours later. An expert inspection occurred around 3 AM, followed by a reinforcement meeting at 6 AM. Alarming is that there were no immediate recommendations to evacuate residents or temporarily close nearby schools.

The Aftermath 💔

Around 3:10 PM the tunnel section collapsed. One construction worker was rescued after 13 hours, but another went missing. Gwangmyeong City advised approximately 2,400 residents in nearby apartments to evacuate.

Key Takeaways 📝

• Severity: The initial reports understated the seriousness of the damage.
• Timing: There was a significant delay in reporting the damage to authorities.
• Safety Measures: Immediate evacuation measures weren’t prioritized, raising concerns about safety protocols.

Why This Matters 🤔

This incident underscores the importance of transparency, timely reporting, and robust safety measures in large-scale construction projects. It’s crucial to ensure that infrastructure projects are not only completed efficiently but, above all, safely. Incidents like these can erode public trust and highlight the need for stringent oversight.

Stay safe, everyone, and let’s hope lessons are learned to prevent similar incidents in the future! 🙏

Source: YTN News Report