Fire in 2nd Gyeongin Soundproof Tunnel... 5 Dead, 37 Injured (Comprehensive 2)

Bus-Truck Collision Causes Fire, Spreads to Tunnel
"Drivers Abandon Vehicles and Escape Tunnel"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] As of 5 p.m. on the 29th, 5 people have died and 37 have been injured due to a fire that occurred in the soundproof tunnel section near Bukuiwang IC on the 2nd Gyeongin Expressway. The fire is reported to have started around 1:49 p.m. from a collision between a bus and a truck.

The fire that started in the truck spread to the soundproof tunnel and expanded. The deceased were found in the accident vehicles. Initially, 6 deaths were reported, but it was corrected to 5 after discovering one person was counted twice.

Among the 37 injured, 3 are seriously injured with facial burns. The other 34 suffered minor injuries such as smoke inhalation. The minor injury patients were treated on-site and were not transported to hospitals.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, since about 40 vehicles are reported to be trapped at the scene, the number of casualties may increase depending on the results of the search and rescue operations.

The fire authorities issued a Level 1 response around 2:11 p.m. and upgraded it to Level 2 about 10 minutes later at 2:22 p.m. Level 2 response is an alert involving mobilization of equipment from 8 to 14 fire stations, deploying 51 to 80 units.

The fire was extinguished around 4:12 p.m., about two hours after it started.

However, as the fire continued for about two hours with ongoing flames and smoke, citizens were left anxious.

At the time, drivers reportedly had to abandon their vehicles and evacuate due to the rapidly escalating situation.

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon instructed related agencies and departments to "do their best in relief and follow-up measures" regarding the fire.