Two Rescued with Serious Injuries, Both in Stable Condition
National Fire Mobilization Order Issued
National Fire Agency Chief Heads to the Scene
A major structural collapse occurred at the Ulsan Thermal Power Plant of Korea East-West Power, located in Nam-gu, Ulsan. Fire authorities have issued a national fire mobilization order and are conducting rescue operations for seven people believed to be trapped.
According to the National Fire Agency, a report of the collapse was received at 2:02 p.m. on November 6, and a Level 1 fire response was declared at 2:56 p.m. The accident occurred during the demolition of a boiler tower inside the thermal power plant.
Fire authorities currently estimate that seven people are buried and are carrying out rescue operations for them. The exact number of those trapped is being confirmed. A man in his 40s and two men in their 60s have been rescued and are reported to be in stable condition.
The National Fire Agency issued a national fire mobilization order at 3:13 p.m., gathering all available personnel and equipment. Special response teams from four regional fire headquarters and the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters have been deployed to the site. Specialists in collapse and urban search and rescue, 119 rescue dogs, fire drones, large fire helicopters for emergency patient transport, and lighting vehicles for nighttime operations have also been dispatched to the scene.
In addition, the National Fire Agency has activated the Central Emergency Rescue Control Center and dispatched an on-site situation manager. Four structural engineering experts from the Korea Infrastructure Safety and Technology Corporation have also been requested.
Kim Seungryong, Acting Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, departed for the site at 4:31 p.m. after hearing of the accident while attending the National Assembly Special Committee on Budget and Accounts. Acting Commissioner Kim instructed, "Prioritize life-saving efforts by mobilizing all available firefighting resources, and establish emergency patient transport measures in preparation for potential mass casualties." He also directed, "Operate safety inspectors to ensure the safety of on-site personnel, provide maximum support with helicopters and other available firefighting resources, and secure the patient transport system."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
