SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — Tragedy struck central Seoul on Tuesday afternoon when a section of the ageing Seosomun Overpass collapsed during a safety inspection, killing three people and injuring three others.

The incident occurred around 2:33 p.m. local time on May 26, 2026, at the demolition site of the 59-year-old overpass in Seodaemun District. According to fire and city officials, the structure gave way while engineers and public works officials were conducting a safety check after detecting signs of instability overnight.

How the Collapse Happened

Emergency responders rushed to the scene as massive chunks of concrete and metal crashed onto a roadway near a railway crossing. Television footage showed rescue teams combing through twisted steel and debris in search of victims trapped beneath the wreckage.

All six victims were directly involved in the inspection exercise, including senior city public works officials and a private engineering specialist. Workers had been cutting slabs of concrete when part of a slab sank, prompting an immediate suspension of demolition work for an urgent safety evaluation.

Despite the precaution, a girder supporting the overpass and part of a suspended scaffold suddenly snapped while inspectors were inside the support structure.

Casualties and Response

Three men in their 50s and 60s were confirmed dead, while three others sustained injuries to the head, waist, ribs, and other parts of the body. The deceased included a chief supervisor of an engineering company, the site manager, and an outside expert.

Fire authorities issued a Level 1 emergency response at 2:49 p.m., mobilizing 62 personnel and 16 vehicles. Police deployed about 30 officers to control traffic and prevent secondary accidents.

The collapse also disrupted rail operations, forcing Korail to suspend train services between Seoul Station and Sinchon Station on the Gyeongui Line.

About the Overpass

The Seosomun Overpass, built in 1966, was a 335-meter, four-lane structure connecting Chungjeongno Station and City Hall Station on Seoul Subway Line 2. It had been marked for demolition due to long-standing safety defects and had been undergoing dismantling since August 2025.

On an average day, about 40,000 vehicles used the overpass before demolition began.

Investigation and Impact

Police and prosecutors have since launched a full-scale investigation, conducting a joint forensic inspection overnight with the National Forensic Service and the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency. Officials are working to determine whether safety protocols were violated during the demolition process.

Two leading candidates in Seoul’s June 3 mayoral election temporarily suspended campaigning activities following the accident, citing the need to prioritize rescue and response efforts.

Conclusion

The collapse highlights ongoing risks tied to ageing infrastructure in Seoul and the challenges of safely dismantling decades-old structures in densely populated urban areas.