Police in Seoul are investigating the partial collapse of the Seosomun Overpass during demolition work, following the deaths of three people and injuries to three others. Fire and city officials say the collapse occurred around 2:32–2:33 p.m. on Tuesday at a demolition site in Seodaemun District, central Seoul, when a section of the bridge deck and supporting structure failed while workers were conducting a scheduled safety inspection. Reports say responders initiated rescue operations shortly after the incident, with emergency personnel arriving within minutes. Television footage and official accounts describe the structure falling onto workers and vehicles below near a railway crossing.
Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency investigators have accelerated their probe and focus on whether demolition activities complied with safety guidelines. Police have conducted raids and seized materials from the Seoul city government and an engineering company involved in the demolition. They are reviewing documents to determine responsibility for the demolition work and whether necessary safety measures were in place. In a related development, police booked four engineering company officials as suspects on suspicion of occupational negligence resulting in death, including a site manager, and plan further questioning after analyzing the evidence.
