Established Central Accident Countermeasures Headquarters at the site of the collapse of a condominium in Gwangju, Korea

On 20th, the 10th day after the collapse of the new condominium construction in Hwajeong-dong, Hwajeong-dong, Gwangju, Korea, rescue authorities continue to search for missing persons on the upper floors and the open space. From this day, the "Central Accident Collection Countermeasures Headquarters" will also be set up at the accident site. Government agencies such as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Ministry of Employment and Labor will join the Central Accident Collection Countermeasures Headquarters.

From 7:30 am on this day, the Accident Countermeasures Headquarters began searching activities with 190 search and support personnel, 50 equipment, and 5 life-saving dogs. While proceeding with safety reinforcement measures at the same time, we will conduct a precise search using drones and endoscopic cameras in dangerous areas that are difficult for rescue teams to approach. For safety, 5 structural teams, 6 observation alarms, and 22 safety and health personnel will be put in.

On the 18th of this month, the fire department has set up a command post on the 20th floor of the room and is proceeding with the search for missing persons in the upper floors. The search for the collapsed part will be started after safety reinforcement measures such as dismantling the tilted tower crane. The plan is to finish the wire reinforcement work for the tilted tower crane within this day. After completing the wire reinforcement work, the tower crane will be dismantled using two large dismantling cranes. If the upper end of the tower crane is dismantled, it is expected that a precise search for the collapsed part will be possible from the beginning of next week. The Accident Countermeasures Headquarters has sent rescue dogs to the open storage yard where the wreckage of the accident site is stored, and is also looking for the lost property of the missing person.

From this day, the Central Accident Collection Countermeasures Headquarters will be set up at the collapse site. The day before, Mayor of Gwangju, Gwangju, requested the government's active and continuous support for the swift search for missing persons and the restoration of the site in the Gwangju condominium collapse accident. For this reason, it was proposed to the government to set up and operate the "Central Accident Collection Countermeasures Headquarters" at the accident site.

Mayor Lee said, “The central government and Gwangju City have a close on-site situation sharing and real-time cooperation system so that the government can quickly collect accidents such as search, rescue and recovery of missing persons. "The Central Accident Collection Countermeasures Headquarters was set up at the accident site and requested to operate it," he said. "The government is currently actively considering it."