Presumed Remains of Missing Person Found on 27th Floor in Gwangju Collapse Accident... Search Hampered by Debris

Around 5:30 PM that day, bloodstains and suspected work clothes found
Access difficult due to tilted slab block

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] Blood-stained work clothes presumed to belong to a missing person were discovered on the 27th floor of the building involved in the collapse accident at the Hyundai Industrial Development apartment construction site in Hwajeong-dong, Gwangju. Additionally, a body presumed to be that of a missing person was found, but search efforts are facing difficulties due to the debris of collapsed slabs.

On the 25th, the Gwangju Accident Response Integrated Headquarters stated in an emergency briefing in the afternoon, "Blood stains and work clothes were found during the search on the 27th floor," adding, "Endoscopic examination suggests it is a human."

Among the six missing persons, the second presumed missing body was confirmed in the master bedroom space on the 27th and 28th floors, where a newly deployed evidence search dog showed abnormal reactions. This area corresponds to the east side when viewed from the front, with concrete debris piled across two floors, the 27th and 28th.

Around 5:30 p.m. that day, the rescue team discovered items presumed to be blood stains and work clothes while focusing their search on the 27th and 28th floors. Subsequently, the rescue authorities conducted a detailed search using an endoscopic camera and estimated that a missing person was inside the debris.

However, rescue operations are expected to continue facing difficulties. The location where the missing person was found is the living room and master bedroom space of apartment unit 2, adjacent to the tower crane on the right side. The slab has collapsed there, and a large slab chunk is tilted at about 60 degrees, creating a dangerous condition. Above it, concrete mixture poured from the 39th floor has hardened entangled with rebar, preventing rescue workers from approaching.

To access the interior, the concrete must be removed, but removal work carries the risk of further collapse, and the 27th-floor height makes it difficult for heavy machinery to approach. Therefore, it may be necessary to proceed with rescue operations by sequentially cutting the intact exterior walls from the upper floors or by breaking through walls in other spaces.

The families of the missing said, "It seems the rescue team confirmed the missing person by breaking through the wall of unit 4 on the 28th floor," adding, "It will take considerable time until the rescue is completed." The rescue team stated, "Due to the large amount of debris and danger, we will proceed with rescue operations while ensuring the safety of rescue workers."