80m Wind Turbine Snaps in Yeongdeok, Road Completely Blocked

Fortunately, No Casualties Reported

A large wind turbine was damaged after it broke in Yeongdeok County, North Gyeongsang Province. Fortunately, there were no casualties.

According to Yonhap News Agency and other sources on February 2, a wind turbine was damaged at the wind power complex in Changpo-ri, Yeongdeok-eup, Yeongdeok County. The tower supporting the wind turbine snapped, causing the upper turbine blades to fall to the ground and shatter.

Damaged wind turbine at the wind power complex in Yeongdeok County, Gyeongbuk. Yonhap News

Although there were no injuries at the time of the accident, fragments of the blades scattered, damaging nearby structures such as the Byeolparang Zipline and part of the fence at the Yeongdeok Blue Road Trekking Guesthouse.

The first person to report the incident told fire authorities, "A wind turbine has fallen onto the road," and added, "It is blocking the road, making it impossible for vehicles to pass." Police and fire authorities restricted access to the road passing through the wind power complex and handled the aftermath of the accident.

The Yeongdeok wind power complex was completed in 2005. It consists of 24 wind turbines, an office building, and auxiliary facilities. The turbines have a hub height of 80 meters and blade lengths of 41 meters. The damaged turbine was manufactured and installed by Vestas, a renewable energy company headquartered in Denmark. Turbine blades are typically made of materials such as carbon fiber and are known for being lightweight yet highly durable.

According to media reports, fire authorities said it was "difficult to confirm" the wind speed in the area at the time of the accident. Police and fire authorities are currently investigating the exact cause of the accident and the extent of the damage.