Collapse at Retired South Korean Power Plant Kills One, Four Missing in Ulsan

SEOUL, South Korea — A 60-meter (196-foot) boiler tower collapsed during demolition work at a retired thermal power plant in the southern industrial city of Ulsan, killing one person and leaving at least four others missing and presumed dead, South Korean officials said Friday.

Authorities said nine workers were at the site when the tower gave way Thursday afternoon. Two people were rescued shortly after emergency teams arrived, while a third was pulled out later but pronounced dead at a hospital early Friday.

Search for Missing Workers Continues

Five workers remain unaccounted for beneath tons of debris, including two who have yet to be located, according to Ulsan Fire Department official Kim Jeong-shik. Later on Friday, rescuers recovered one additional body and identified the positions of three more victims believed to be dead.

Operations were temporarily halted in the morning due to concerns about unstable rubble and potential secondary collapse. Search teams resumed after stabilization efforts were completed and thermal imaging detected additional heat signatures possibly linked to the missing workers.

Rescue Efforts Hampered by Hazardous Conditions

More than 340 rescue workers, supported by dozens of vehicles, drones, and search dogs, were deployed to the site. Crews also used endoscopes and thermal cameras to detect movement beneath the debris.

“The site is covered with large amounts of asbestos and glass fibers, and the space is extremely confined, forcing rescue workers to clear debris by hand,” Kim said during a press briefing. “We are proceeding cautiously to prevent further injury or collapse.”

Officials added that safety remains a top concern as debris from the decades-old structure poses significant respiratory and structural hazards. Emergency teams have been rotating shifts to minimize exposure to airborne contaminants.

President Orders Full-Scale Response

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung ordered government agencies to mobilize all available personnel and equipment for the rescue operation while prioritizing the safety of emergency responders. He also directed the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to assess potential oversight failures in the demolition process.

The Ulsan city government said it will launch a full investigation in cooperation with national agencies to determine the exact cause of the collapse.

Decommissioned Plant Undergoing Demolition

The thermal power plant, once a key energy provider in southeastern South Korea, was decommissioned in 2021 after operating for 40 years. Officials said the collapsed tower — one of three boilers on-site — had been structurally weakened during demolition preparations, which may have contributed to its failure.

Local media reported that demolition work began earlier this week under a private contractor. Authorities have yet to disclose whether the company had been cited for safety violations or if the tower’s structural condition had been recently inspected.

Workplace Safety Concerns Renewed

The tragedy has reignited concerns about workplace safety standards in South Korea’s construction and demolition industries. The country has faced recurring industrial accidents despite stricter safety legislation introduced after a series of fatal incidents in recent years.

In 2023, more than 800 workers died in work-related accidents nationwide, according to government data. Advocacy groups have urged tighter enforcement of labor safety laws and more rigorous inspections at high-risk sites such as industrial demolition zones.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities have sealed off the area around the plant, and forensic teams are expected to conduct a full structural analysis once rescue operations are complete. Investigators will also review compliance documents, demolition blueprints, and the plant’s maintenance records to identify potential negligence.

Officials said rescue efforts would continue throughout the weekend until all missing workers are recovered.