One worker has died and six others remain trapped after a large steel structure collapsed at a decommissioned power station in South Korea on Thursday, authorities said.
The incident occurred while workers were dismantling parts of a heating facility scheduled for demolition. The massive steel framework suddenly gave way, sending debris crashing to the ground.
Emergency footage from the scene showed the twisted remains of the collapsed structure surrounded by other similar industrial frameworks.
According to fire official Kim Jung-shik, two workers were rescued shortly after the collapse, while two more were later located under the rubble. One worker was confirmed dead early Friday, while the condition of another remains unknown.
Rescue teams have deployed heat sensors, search cameras, and sniffer dogs to locate the remaining trapped workers. However, operations have been slowed by the risk of further collapse, officials said.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who has made workplace safety a national priority, has instructed authorities to launch an all-out rescue effort to save those still missing.
“Every available resource must be used to rescue the workers and ensure no additional casualties,” the president’s office said in a statement.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse as search and recovery efforts continue.
