"‘Track Abnormality’... Reported on Preceding SRT Train Before Derailment"

On the afternoon of the 1st, an SRT train departing from Busan Station and heading to Seoul Suseo Station derailed near Daejeon Freight Yard Station, causing injuries to 11 people. The photo shows the accident scene. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] It has been revealed that just before the SRT train derailment accident near Daejeon Jochajang Station on the 1st, a report was received from a preceding train stating, "There seems to be something wrong with the tracks."

On the 3rd, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board is currently investigating the exact cause of the SRT derailment accident, and during the investigation process, they confirmed the existence of such a report.

The Ministry stated that various possibilities are being considered regarding the cause of the accident, including rail management issues due to rising temperatures and poor vehicle maintenance, keeping all possibilities open for review.

However, the investigation board is reported to have concluded, based on the information gathered so far, that there were significant problems with rail management.

The board confirmed that the preceding train, which passed the accident site before the accident train, detected abnormal signs such as the train shaking while passing the accident site and reported it.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said, "It was investigated that the preceding train shook while passing the accident site and a report was made to Daejeon Jochajang Station regarding this. Nevertheless, it appears that the station did not issue appropriate instructions such as slowing down or cautioning the following trains."

Meanwhile, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Heeryong held a meeting at 10 a.m. that day with the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry and railway control officials to receive a report on the accident analysis and urged a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the accident. Minister Won said, "Public safety is the top priority," and instructed, "Thoroughly analyze the entire railway safety system from on-site management to train operation related to this accident and prepare fundamental countermeasures."

At around 3:21 p.m. on the 1st, SRT train No. 338 traveling from Busan to Suseo derailed near Daejeon Jochajang Station, injuring 11 people, of whom 7 were transported to hospitals for treatment. Due to this accident, the operation of 14 high-speed trains including KTX and SRT was canceled, and train services were delayed by up to 5 hours and 26 minutes, causing significant inconvenience to passengers.