Two dead, one unresponsive after overpass collapses during demolition work in Seodaemun District
Published: 26 May. 2026, 15:30
Updated: 26 May. 2026, 17:17
![Part of the Seosomun Overpass lies on the ground after a partial collapse in Seodaemun District, western Seoul, on May 26. [YONHAP]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/05/26/14abe60a-b9e4-48c8-93b8-ca0dfcfbea09.jpg)
Part of the Seosomun Overpass lies on the ground after a partial collapse in Seodaemun District, western Seoul, on May 26. [YONHAP]
Two people are dead, and another is reportedly unresponsive, on Tuesday after a section of an overpass collapsed during demolition work in Seodaemun District, western Seoul. Four others are injured, fire authorities said.
The incident occurred around 2:32 p.m. on the old Seosomun overpass.
Authorities are still working to rescue additional people trapped beneath the debris. Seven casualties, including the two deaths, have been confirmed so far. Of them, two victims reportedly fell and one was buried under debris. Three are en route to trauma centers at Seoul National University Hospital and Kangbuk Samsung Hospital.
"Rescue operations are underway for workers trapped in the structure, and we are continuing to check for additional casualties," a fire official said.
![A part of the Seosomun Overpass lies on the ground after a partial collapse in Seodaemun District, western Seoul, on May 26. [JOONGANG ILBO]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/05/26/6d95630b-c275-4c8c-976e-df1680421ebb.jpg)
A part of the Seosomun Overpass lies on the ground after a partial collapse in Seodaemun District, western Seoul, on May 26. [JOONGANG ILBO]
Fire authorities dispatched a first-response unit to the scene at around 2:38 p.m., six minutes after receiving the call, and began rescue operations. At 2:49 p.m., they issued a Level 1 response, deploying 62 personnel and 16 vehicles. Police also sent around 30 officers to the scene and began controlling traffic on surrounding roads to prevent further casualties.
Train services between Seoul Station and Sinchon Station have been suspended as the collapsed overpass also struck the railway tracks running beneath it, the Korea Railroad Corporation said.
The accident occurred when a girder supporting the overpass and part of a suspended scaffold gave way during a safety inspection of the demolition site, according to the city government. The city said it was carrying out safety measures at the scene and taking steps to prevent further debris from falling.
"We are working to confirm the exact cause and circumstances of the accident and will do our best to prevent any additional safety incidents," a city official said.
![A part of the Seosomun Overpass lies on the ground after a partial collapse in Seodaemun District, western Seoul, on May 26.[NEWS1]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/05/26/99085279-6f5c-4232-b1ac-b8f199dac3dd.jpg)
A part of the Seosomun Overpass lies on the ground after a partial collapse in Seodaemun District, western Seoul, on May 26.[NEWS1]
The Seosomun overpass was built in 1966. The 335-meter (366 yards), four-lane structure connected Chungjeongno Station and City Hall Station on Seoul Subway Line 2 and was supported by 18 piers. Some 40,000 vehicles used the overpass on an average day.
However, it has had a long history of structural problems. In 2019, chunks of concrete fell onto the road below, raising serious safety concerns. A subsequent detailed safety inspection by the city gave the structure a D rating — meaning it failed to meet safety standards — and recommended it either be taken out of service or undergo urgent repairs, citing damage to key structural components and the risk of collapse.
The deterioration continued in the years that followed, with sections of the deck falling away in 2021 and concrete dropping from a girder in 2024. The city installed safety nets to catch falling debris and carried out repairs to the piers, but ultimately concluded that the structure had reached the end of its lifespan and that routine maintenance was no longer sufficient to keep it safe. Demolition work began on Sept. 20 last year.
Residents and nearby workers who witnessed the collapse were left shaken.
"As soon as I heard a loud bang, dust came pouring into my store," one witness, Kim Chang-tae, said. "I heard faint moaning — people crying for help — so I immediately called the fire department."
![A part of the Seosomun Overpass lies on the ground after a partial collapse in Seodaemun District, western Seoul, on May 26.[NEWS1]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/05/26/69b742d1-dd95-4a98-a789-5dd57b5ab138.jpg)
A part of the Seosomun Overpass lies on the ground after a partial collapse in Seodaemun District, western Seoul, on May 26.[NEWS1]
"It happened so fast there wasn't even time to hear any screaming," said another witness, identified only by their surname Jo.
"Before this, a few pieces of concrete the size of a finger had already fallen, and I had filed complaints about it several times," said a man surnamed Choi. "Strangely, the accident took place at the spot of the overpass they had been unable to demolish."
President Lee Jae Myung has ordered officials to spare no effort in responding to the disaster. "Do everything possible to manage the aftermath of the accident and treat the injured," he said, according to Kang Yu-jung, spokesperson for the Blue House. "Conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident and put in place comprehensive measures to prevent a recurrence."
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who was also briefed on the situation, directed emergency services to mobilize all available resources. "The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Fire Agency should deploy all available equipment and personnel and make the rescue of human lives the top priority," he said.
He also called on the Seoul city government, Seodaemun District office, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and other relevant agencies to "provide the necessary personnel and equipment for the rescue operation and actively cooperate to ensure that on-site rescue activities proceed smoothly."
Candidates in the upcoming Seoul mayoral election announced they were suspending their campaigns as well.
People Power Party candidate Oh Se-hoon said he would "temporarily halt campaigning to focus on managing the aftermath of the accident."
"Dealing with the accident comes first," said Democratic Party candidate Chong Won-o.
Updated, May 26: More details on the accident and the political reactions included.
Updated, May 26: Information about the fatality has been added.
Updated, May 26: Information about the additional fatality and circumstances of the accident added, as well as more political reactions.
BY JEONG HYE-JEONG. [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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