Korail Files 7 Billion Won Claim Against Manufacturer of Derailed Train in January

Derailment of KTX Train Passing Yeongdong Tunnel in January
Sajo Committee: Wheel Damage Before Usage Limit Caused the Accident

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] Following the investigation by the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board, which concluded that the derailment accident of the KTX train on the Gyeongbu High-Speed Line in January was caused by wheel damage, Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) has decided to claim approximately 7 billion KRW in damages from the train manufacturer.

According to KORAIL on the 27th, the main cause of the accident was that the train wheel was damaged due to fatigue failure during operation. The wheel broke before reaching the usage limit (wear limit) specified by the manufacturer’s production standards, causing the train to derail.

Earlier, on January 5th at 11:58 a.m., a KTX-Sancheon train derailed one passenger car (car No. 4) while passing through Yeongdong Tunnel in Hoedong-ri, Yeongdong-eup, Yeongdong-gun. As a result of this accident, the train’s window glass shattered, scattering fragments that injured seven passengers, and 215 trains experienced operational disruptions.

Accordingly, KORAIL has completed measures regarding safety recommendations and plans to take damage compensation actions amounting to approximately 7 billion KRW against the vehicle manufacturer that supplied the wheels directly responsible for the accident.

Since the accident, KORAIL has applied the 'phased array ultrasonic testing' method to detect internal defects in the entire wheel area at an early stage. The ultrasonic inspection cycle has been shortened from 450,000 km to 300,000 km, and wheel management standards have been strengthened by revising the maintenance manual.

In addition, KORAIL proactively completed the replacement of all damaged wheels and the wheels of 13 sets (432 wheels) of the same KTX-Sancheon vehicles.