Seoul City to Install Nets and Steel Structures Under Manhole Covers to Prevent Fall Accidents

Urgent Measures to Prevent Manhole Fall Accidents... Installation of 'Manhole Fall Prevention Facilities' Such as Steel Structures Under Manhole Covers

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government is implementing urgent measures to prevent sewer manhole cover opening accidents from leading to falls.

On the 12th, Seoul announced that starting from the second half of this year, it will actively introduce and install 'manhole fall prevention facilities' such as nets and iron structures directly beneath manhole covers.

On the 8th, due to heavy rain, water levels rose in Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, causing a sewer manhole cover to fail to withstand water pressure and open, resulting in two people going missing. Despite Seoul installing special manhole covers with a 'locking function' in flood-prone and backflow areas, the manhole cover opened due to rainfall exceeding 100mm per hour.

Seoul expects that once the 'manhole fall prevention facilities' are installed, they will prevent people from being swept into the sewer and falling through manholes when heavy rain causes manhole covers to open.

Going forward, Seoul plans to prioritize the introduction of 'manhole fall prevention facilities' in low-lying flood-prone areas and sewer backflow sections, then expand installations. The city will actively secure necessary project funds such as disaster management funds and promptly support autonomous districts.

Han Je-hyun, Deputy Mayor for Administration of Seoul, stated, "We will swiftly install 'manhole fall prevention facilities' in flood-prone areas," adding, "We will prioritize citizens' safety and take prompt action to prevent fatalities caused by manhole cover opening accidents during the rainy season."