Initial Response Team Dispatched to Gyeongbu Line Accident Site
Ministry Vows Thorough Investigation and Zero Tolerance for Violations
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 19th that it had urgently dispatched an initial response team-including the Director of Railway Safety Policy, Railway Safety Supervisors, railway police, and investigators from the Korea Transportation Safety Authority-to the site of the accident involving railway workers on the Gyeongbu Line in Cheongdo-gun, North Gyeongsang Province.
According to the Ministry and Korail, at approximately 10:50 a.m. on this day, seven workers who were moving to a site for a structural (slope) safety inspection between Namseonghyeon and Cheongdo on the Gyeongbu Line were struck by a Mugunghwa train (Daegu to Jinju).
So far, two people have been confirmed dead, and the exact extent of the damage and the current status of train delays are still being compiled.
On the 19th, an accident occurred where a Mugunghwa train struck seven workers who were working near the tracks. Near the Gyeongbu Line railroad close to the Cheongdo Bullfighting Stadium in Samsin-ri, Hwayang-eup, Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, police, fire officials, and Korail personnel are investigating the Mugunghwa train involved in the accident. Photo by Yonhap News
The Ministry stated, "We will thoroughly investigate whether there were any violations of railway safety laws in the course of railway facility maintenance and other work," adding, "If any illegalities are found, we will take strict action in accordance with the principle of zero tolerance and promptly establish measures to prevent recurrence."
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