A section of an elevated highway under construction collapsed in Cheonan, South Korea, on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of three workers and injuring six others.

The incident occurred in the city, located 90 kilometers south of Seoul, where a group of ten workers was on-site at the time of the structural failure.

The National Fire Agency reported that the workers fell and became trapped beneath the rubble when the section of the highway gave way. Rescue teams swiftly responded, recovering one body from the debris and rushing eight injured workers to nearby hospitals. Despite medical efforts, two of the injured later died, raising the death toll to three. Of the six remaining survivors, five are in critical condition, and authorities are still searching for one worker believed to be missing.

The cause of the collapse has yet to be determined, and officials have launched a full investigation to uncover what led to the tragedy. Early speculation points to potential structural or safety issues, though no conclusions have been reached.

In response to the disaster, South Korea’s Acting President Choi Sang-mok called for an urgent and comprehensive rescue operation, urging authorities to mobilize all available resources to assist the victims and prevent further loss of life. “The priority is to save lives and ensure the safety of those still at risk,” Choi said in a statement.

The incident has raised renewed concerns about construction safety in South Korea, with officials vowing to hold those responsible accountable as the investigation unfolds. Rescue efforts continue as the nation mourns the loss of the workers killed in this preventable catastrophe. (ILKHA)