DAEGU, South Korea – Ceiling finishing material fell inside a four-story commercial building in Daegu on Saturday morning, injuring 38 people during a sales event attended by older customers. Nine of the injured were taken to hospitals, but fire authorities reported no critical injuries.
The incident occurred at about 10:16 a.m. local time on October 10 on the building’s second floor in Gwaneum-dong, Buk District, in southeastern South Korea. A business was holding a sales event for kitchenware and other household goods when sections of the ceiling fell.
All 66 people inside the building evacuated. Authorities reported that the injuries were minor and included abrasions sustained during the incident and evacuation.
Emergency crews search for additional casualties
Daegu firefighting authorities deployed about 60 personnel and 14 pieces of equipment to search the building and secure the scene. The search found no additional casualties.
Some attendees reportedly experienced dizziness, while others were injured as they fled the falling material. The nine people taken to hospitals received further medical attention; officials said none of the reported injuries was life-threatening.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung was briefed on the incident and directed officials to prioritize rescue efforts and ensure an appropriate response. Police also deployed officers around the site to manage traffic and restrict access.
Building history under scrutiny
The building was constructed in 1994, according to local reporting. A grocery business that had operated on the first floor stopped trading in late September. The collapse occurred on the second floor, where the sales event was taking place.
Authorities have not established why the ceiling material fell. The precise cause, including whether any building or maintenance issue contributed to the incident, remains under investigation.
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Buk District officials planned further inspections of the building, while fire and police authorities worked to preserve the scene and arrange a detailed examination. Those steps may help establish whether the failure involved the ceiling finish, the fixtures supporting it or another factor. No cause should be assumed before investigators release their findings.
Investigation continues
The immediate emergency response accounted for everyone reported to have been inside the building, and authorities found no additional casualties during their search.
The investigation now needs to establish what caused the ceiling material to fall and whether any corrective measures are required before the affected area or other parts of the building can be used again.
For now, the confirmed toll stands at 38 people with minor injuries, including nine who were taken to hospitals. Authorities have not announced a final determination of the cause.
Reporting Credit: Daegu Fire and Safety Headquarters; Daegu Buk District Office; Office of the President of the Republic of Korea.
