Authorities have concluded an 11-hour search of the Seoul city government and construction companies involved in the Seosomun overpass collapse that resulted in three fatalities.
According to Yonhap News, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's special investigation unit and the Ministry of Employment and Labor's southern Seoul office conducted the search from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 29, targeting seven locations, including the Seoul Infrastructure Headquarters and the headquarters of the main and subcontractors. A total of 53 personnel, including 33 police officers and 20 labor inspectors, were involved in the operation.
The search warrant cited charges of negligent homicide, violations of the Serious Accident Punishment Act, and breaches of industrial safety and health laws. Both the main contractor and subcontractors have been named as suspects in all three allegations. However, the Seoul city government is currently listed as a witness rather than a suspect.
Police secured relevant documents, including structural design plans and safety management reports, during the search. Investigators plan to focus on whether the dismantling of the overpass was conducted according to the design and safety protocols and whether proper safety inspections and work directives were followed.
The incident occurred on May 26 at 2:32 p.m. during the demolition of the Seosomun overpass in the Migeun-dong area of Seodaemun District. Three people died, and three others were injured when a structural component sank approximately 2.9 centimeters during slab cutting, leading to the collapse during a safety inspection.
The police established a dedicated investigation team of 50 personnel the day before, while the labor ministry formed a 15-member team to assist in the investigation.
A police official stated, "We will thoroughly analyze the secured documents to clarify the cause of the accident and determine accountability." The labor ministry also indicated that it would rigorously investigate work directives, methods, and safety management systems, pledging to hold accountable anyone found in violation of relevant laws.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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