Collapse of built environment
Details
Event title
South Korea - (2nd LD) Last missing worker found dead at collapsed construction site in Gwangju; death toll at 4
Source
Main event
Event date (UTC)
2025-12-13 15:38:11
Last update (UTC)
2025-12-13 15:38:12
Severity
Low
Area range
Local event
Address/Affected area(s)
Gwangju, Gwangju Metropolitan City
The last missing worker in a library construction site accident was found dead Saturday, leaving the total death toll at four in the fatal collapse incident that occurred two days ago.
The body of the 58-year-old worker, identified by his surname Kim, was discovered at the site, officials said, bringing the death toll from Thursday's accident to four.
Earlier in the day, authorities found the body of another worker, surnamed Ko, at around 1:03 a.m. Two other workers died on Thursday, the day the accident occurred.
Officials suspect the collapse began as workers poured concrete onto the two-story structure's rooftop, with the ground floors falling to the underground level.
The library under construction was being built by the Gwangju metropolitan government on the site of a former waste incineration plant in the city some 300 kilometers south of Seoul.
Land Minister Kim Yun-duk said Friday that the government plans to introduce a special law to strengthen construction workplace safety and enforce tougher penalties for fatal accidents in response to a growing number of such incidents at construction sites.
Since taking office in June, President Lee Jae Myung has reiterated the need for stronger measures to prevent industrial accidents following a series of accidents at workplaces managed by major construction companies.