[Breaking] Gwangju Metropolitan Library Construction Collapse: 1 Rescued, 1 More Found, Search Continues for 2 Missing

Four Workers Trapped as Structure Collapses During Rooftop Concrete Pouring
Gwangju City Activates Disaster Response Headquarters; Investigates Use of Patented Construction Method
Fire Authorities Issue Level 1 Emergency Response, Intensify Efforts to Locate Remaining Two Workers

The scene of the collapse that started on the rooftop floor, where the rebar and formwork structure fell downwards. Debris of the structure and bent rebar remain as they are. Photo by Song Bohyun

On December 11, during rooftop concrete pouring at the Gwangju Metropolitan Library construction site, a structural collapse occurred, trapping four workers. Fire authorities have determined that a patented construction method, which does not use support props, was employed at the site.

The Gwangju Fire Headquarters stated, "Of the four workers trapped, one has been rescued and transported to the hospital, and another has been located, with rescue operations ongoing. The locations of the remaining two are still being identified." The rescued worker was found in cardiac arrest at 2:52 p.m. and was taken to a nearby hospital.

A fire official is conducting a briefing at the site explaining the collapse accident response situation. Photo by Song Bohyun

The accident occurred at approximately 1:58 p.m. at the Gwangju Metropolitan Library construction site in Chipyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju. During the concrete pouring, the rooftop rebar structure collapsed, causing workers to fall to the lower floors along with building debris. Fire authorities believe that the impact of the upper floor collapse was transmitted to the basement, resulting in the entrapment of workers.

Baek Kyungmin, Head of the On-Site Response Team at Gwangju West Fire Station, explained, "It appears that the patented construction method was applied without any rooftop shoring or support props. Initially, four out of the total 97 workers could not be reached."

Immediately after the accident, the Gwangju city government activated the Regional Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. Mayor Kang Gijung, Deputy Mayor for Administration Ko Gwangwan, Director of Citizen Safety Kim Junyoung, and Seo-gu District Chief Kim Ikang held the first on-site meeting to discuss deploying additional rescue equipment and establishing cooperation systems. Mayor Kang instructed officials to make every effort for safe and swift rescue, as well as to promptly contact and support the families of those trapped.

Political parties also responded. The Democratic Party of Korea announced that Party Leader Jeong Cheongrae had urgently dispatched Gwangju City Party Chair Yang Bunam to the site to assess the situation.

Entrance of the Gwangju Metropolitan Library construction site. Photo by Song Bohyun

The Gwangju Metropolitan Library is a project with a total budget of 51.6 billion won, commissioned by the Gwangju City General Construction Headquarters and jointly constructed by Heungjin Construction and Gu-il General Construction. Construction began in September 2022 to transform the site of the closed Sangmu Incineration Plant into a cultural space, with a planned completion in April 2026 for a building with two floors above ground and two basement levels. The project is approximately 73% complete. Construction was temporarily halted due to financial difficulties faced by the main contractor, Heungjin Construction, and the joint contract succession process caused an additional delay of about four months.

Fire authorities have issued Level 1 emergency response and are making every effort to rescue the remaining two trapped workers.