Shinansan Line Collapse Accident Construction Accident Investigation Committee Launched... "Starting Investigation into Cause of Fatal Accident"

Formation of Construction Accident Investigation Committee...
Comprehensive Review of Structure, Ground, and Quality
POSCO E&C Tunnel Collapse Leaves One Worker Dead, Another Injured
"Serious Structural Accident... Will Identify Root Cause and Prevent Recurrence"

In the wake of a tunnel collapse accident on the Sinansan Line underground tunnel in Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi Province, which resulted in the death of one worker, the government has officially launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident and prevent recurrence. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 17th that it has formed the "Construction Accident Investigation Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Committee)" and begun an official investigation regarding the tunnel collapse and upper ground subsidence accident that occurred during the construction of the Sinansan Line double-track railway on the 11th.

Yonhap News

The Committee is an official investigative body established and operated by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for serious construction site accidents deemed necessary under Article 68 of the Construction Technology Promotion Act. In this accident, a tunnel being constructed by POSCO E&C collapsed, resulting in one worker’s death and another’s injury, along with significant structural damage including ground subsidence and tunnel collapse.

The Ministry stated that to ensure the Committee’s independence and expertise, it was composed of experts from the 6th Construction Accident Investigation Committee (February 2025 to February 2027), who have no direct connection to the Sinansan Line construction. The members are experts selected from fields such as civil engineering construction, structural engineering, soil and foundation, and quality control, with a maximum of 12 members.

The Committee began its formal investigation activities with a kickoff meeting near the site on the afternoon of the same day and will conduct a thorough investigation for about two months. The investigation will include reviewing design documents from the time of the accident, on-site inspections, and hearings with related parties to analyze the cause of the accident and develop measures to prevent recurrence. The investigation period may be extended if necessary.

A Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport official emphasized, "The Sinansan Line accident is not simply a problem during the construction process but a serious incident requiring inspection of the stability of structures and ground as well as overall quality. Through the Committee’s activities, we will clearly identify the cause and establish effective countermeasures."

Earlier, the accident occurred around 3:13 p.m. on April 11 in the 5-2 section of the Sinansan Line in Iljik-dong, Gwangmyeong-si. Following the accident, a worker in his 50s affiliated with POSCO E&C, Mr. A, went missing and was found dead on the night of the 16th, while another worker in his 20s, Mr. B, was rescued about 13 hours after the accident. The Ministry plans to conduct a thorough investigation into the responsibility for the accident and structural issues and will also review future system improvement measures.