Three dead, three injured in Seoul overpass collapse

Three people were killed and three others injured on Tuesday when a section of an aging overpass undergoing demolition collapsed in central Seoul. The accident occurred during a safety inspection after workers had halted demolition work upon noticing signs of instability in the structure.

The collapse happened at approximately 2:32 p.m. at the Seosomun Overpass demolition site. According to fire officials, a part of the bridge deck suddenly gave way, crushing the victims with debris and wreckage. All of the individuals killed and injured were identified as senior city public works officials and a private sector expert who were conducting the inspection inside the support structure at the time.

Emergency services responded swiftly, with the first fire crew arriving six minutes after the initial report. Authorities mobilized dozens of personnel and vehicles, sealed off traffic around the site, and dispatched additional ambulances and police. Television footage showed a long segment of the structure lying collapsed on the street below, with twisted steel beams and shattered concrete slabs hanging precariously from the remaining edge.

The debris also fell onto a nearby railway,...