As a missing person was reported due to the collapse of the underground tunnel of the Shin Ansan Line in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province, the search operation, which had been suspended over safety concerns, was resumed after just one day. The missing worker's survival status has not been confirmed more than 48 hours after the accident occurred.
Im Kwang-sik, Director of the Gwangmyeong Fire Station, noted on the 13th that the search for missing persons was resumed at 2:10 p.m. The operation had been stopped due to concerns about soil collapse after heavy rain the previous day, but it was decided to restart the search following a meeting with civil engineering and geological experts.
During a briefing at the scene, Director Im stated, “The work will start with the removal of safety fences around the construction site, and depending on the weather conditions in the afternoon, we will secure objects at risk of collapsing from above, such as containers or excavators.” He added, “We will do our best in cooperation with relevant agencies to ensure a quick rescue for the missing person and their family.”
However, direct access to the lower part of the collapsed underground tunnel remains difficult. Director Im explained, “The site itself is filled with hazardous elements, making rescue operations (to access below) difficult,” and stated, “We are in the process of removing surrounding hazardous materials.”
Regarding whether ground subsidence is continuing, Director Im reported, “Yesterday, we confirmed that severe cracks have formed at the upper part due to rainfall,” adding, “According to expert opinions, subsidence is ongoing, and we are continuously monitoring with observatory equipment.”
Fire authorities plan to continue nighttime search operations by deploying four lighting vehicles. However, they have stated that no rescue team will be sent into the lower space of the underground tunnel until the site’s stability is ensured.
This accident occurred around 3:13 p.m. on the 11th as the upper roadway collapsed along with the construction site of the underground tunnel for the Shin Ansan Line double-tracked railway section 5-2 in Iljik-dong, Gwangmyeong, which was being carried out by POSCO E&C.
Among the 19 workers, 2 were isolated or missing, with an excavator operator in his 20s, identified as Mr. A, rescued about 13 hours after the accident. However, Mr. B, in his 50s and affiliated with POSCO E&C, remains missing, believed to be located 35 to 40 meters underground, but neither his location nor survival status has been confirmed. The mobile phone location tracking results are identified to be around the accident site.
On the 12th at 3 p.m., strange sounds and signs of debris falling were detected during the search, leading to a suspension of operations, and debris removal work also ceased after 8 p.m. Strong winds and rain worsened search conditions. The strong wind advisory that had been issued for the entire Gyeonggi Province was lifted at 6 p.m. that day, and search operations are expected to continue at night.