Korail "Deep Apology for Sunae Station Escalator Accident... Last Month's Inspection Was Satisfactory"

Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) apologized for the escalator accident that occurred on the morning of the 8th at Suin-Bundang Line Sunae Station. KORAIL also announced plans to establish measures to prevent recurrence.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the escalator reverse operation accident that happened that morning, KORAIL stated, "We deeply apologize to the public" and added, "We will do our best to provide treatment and compensation for the injured."

They continued, "Through a joint investigation with the Korea Elevator Safety Agency, we will identify the exact cause of the accident and implement nationwide inspections of escalators at all stations to establish preventive measures. We will also complete inspections as soon as possible on the eight escalators within Sunae Station and 37 escalators at eight stations installed around the same time as the accident escalator," they said.

The accident occurred around 8:25 a.m. that day when the up escalator at Exit 2 of Sunae Station on the Suin-Bundang Line in Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province, reversed direction for unknown reasons. Fourteen people were injured in the accident. Among them, 11 have returned home, and of the three who were hospitalized, two have reportedly been discharged.

According to KORAIL, the escalator involved in the reverse operation accident had passed the regular inspection by the Korea Elevator Safety Agency in September and was rated "good" in the monthly inspection conducted by the maintenance company last month.

KORAIL stated that the exact circumstances of the accident are currently under investigation by the Korea Elevator Safety Agency and the Railway Judicial Police.

However, KORAIL explained that the escalator where the accident occurred was equipped with a reverse operation prevention device.