Traffic is controlled in the area as a drilling machine damages the city gas pipe at the construction site near exit 10 of the Gyeonggi Line at the Seocho-gu Subway Station on the morning of the 27th. /Yonhap News

On the morning of the 27th, two station workers sustained minor injuries due to a city gas leak accident that occurred near the Gyodae Station on subway lines 2 and 3 in Seoul. The gas company is currently repairing the damaged pipeline. All the gas in the pipeline is being vented at this time, and restoration will be possible after this work is completed. Following the incident, subway train and surface vehicle traffic was temporarily halted before resuming.

According to the fire authorities, Seoul Transportation Corporation, and Seocho District of Seoul, at approximately 10:47 a.m. on the same day, while drilling a hole in the ground at a construction site near exit 10 of Gyodae Station, the city gas pipeline was damaged, resulting in a leak of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Gas entered into Gyodae Station. The Seoul Transportation Corporation began bypassing 2nd line trains from 11:09 a.m. and 3rd line trains from 11:22 a.m. without stopping at Gyodae Station. The nearby exits 10 and 11 were also closed. After confirming that no further gas was leaking, authorities took measures to allow subway trains to stop at Gyodae Station again starting at 2:43 p.m.

Traffic is controlled in the area as a digging machine working at Gyeonggi Station on the Gyeonggi Line in Seocho-gu touches the city gas pipe, causing a gas leak. /News1

Due to the incident, vehicle traffic was completely halted along the Seocho-daero between the courthouse and Gyodae Station. Vehicle traffic resumed around the same time that subway services were restored. Following the incident, Seocho District sent disaster text messages to residents, requesting them not to approach the vicinity of Gyodae Station.

A male station worker in his 40s, surnamed Park, who was on duty at Gyodae Station during the gas leak, was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. A woman in her 20s, surnamed Jang, also sustained minor injuries and received treatment on-site. Song Byeong-dae, an administrative officer at Seocho Fire Station, noted in a briefing that "Gas was leaked into the station" and added that "Mr. Park inhaled gas while providing assistance inside, and Ms. Jang was taken to the hospital after on-site treatment."

The incident occurred during the construction of a new building. The company supplying city gas to the area is Ko Won Energy Service. Employees responding to the scene are securing the valve connected to the damaged pipeline and venting the gas inside the pipeline.

Kim Tae-in, the head of the Seoul branch of Ko Won Energy Service, said, "Once all the gas is vented from the pipeline, restoration will happen right away, but it is uncertain how long it will take," adding, "The gas composition is methane, which is not harmful to humans."

An accident occurs as a pipe breaks and city gas leaks near exit 10 of the Gyeonggi Station on the Gyeonggi Line in Seocho-gu around 10:47 AM on the 27th. /Reporter Lee Ho-jun

As a result of the incident, the supply of city gas to approximately 1,900 households in the surrounding buildings has been suspended. Director Kim stated, "Because the hole in the pipe is small, it took time for the gas to escape," and added, "Restoration is expected to be completed before 4 p.m.," after which the supply of city gas is expected to resume.

As gas leaked, nearby restaurants and bank branches suspended operations. Everyone inside the building completed their evacuation around 11:24 a.m. However, the smell of gas spread around Gyodae Station, causing discomfort for citizens. The gas odor was distinctly noticeable even about 50 meters away from the incident site.

An office worker surnamed Kwon, 36, who works in an office close to the incident site, said, "I came out for lunch only to find a strong gas smell." Another office worker surnamed Seo, 42, expressed concern, stating, "I need to take the subway home, and I'm worried whether it will be cleared up by then."