Ceiling collapse at Busan mall prompts emergency evacuation
![Part of the ceiling has collapsed in the food hall on the basement level of Lotte Department Store’s Centum City branch in Haeundae District, Busan, at around 3:03 p.m. on May 31. [BUSAN METROPOLITAN CITY FIRE AND DISASTER HEADQUARTERS]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12711265.webp?imageId=12711265&width=960&height=720&format=jpg)
A section of the ceiling collapsed at a mall in Busan on Sunday afternoon, forcing the emergency evacuation of around 100 customers and staff, though no injuries were reported.
The collapse occurred at approximately 3:03 p.m. in the basement food hall of Lotte Department Store's Centum City branch in Haeundae District, according to authorities.
The store closed early following the incident to allow for a safety inspection.
"It appears the accident was caused by a cooling water pipe becoming dislodged," the mall's spokesperson said. "We are working to determine the exact cause of the incident."
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY PARK JONG-SUH. [[email protected]]
