Tragic Accident at Anyangcheon Water Supply Construction Site Claims Two Lives
In a devastating incident at the Anyangcheon water supply construction site in Gocheon-dong, Uiwang-si on the 11th, two workers lost their lives after being buried under a pile of dirt. The accident occurred during water pipe expansion work when Mr. B, a man in his 70s, and Mr. C, in his 30s, were welding a water pipe connection inside a pit approximately 2.5 meters deep.
The alarm was raised when a fellow worker, Mr. A, who was excavating the ground at a distance of about 10 meters from the accident site, heard a sharp thud. By the time he turned around, it was too late as the dirt had already engulfed his colleagues.
Both victims were found in cardiac arrest and were rushed to a nearby hospital. However, despite all efforts, they tragically succumbed to their injuries. At present, investigations are underway by the Uiwang Police Station and the Gyeonggi Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters to determine the cause of the incident.
Possible Ground Conditions as a Contributing Factor
Authorities suspect that the ground conditions may have played a significant role in the tragic collapse. Representatives from the construction company involved stated that the project had been progressing smoothly, following the same order as the previous sections. However, they cautiously speculated that the weak state of the ground might have been a factor in the accident. An official from the construction company remarked, “Although we diligently followed the work schedule, it appears that the condition of the land was not optimal.”
Police investigations are also focusing on whether safety measures were properly implemented at the site. Of particular concern is whether appropriate supports were in place to prevent soil collapse in the vicinity of the pit. If authorities find negligence on the part of the construction company’s officials, including Uiwang City Hall, the project organizer, they could face charges of professional negligence resulting in death.
As a precautionary measure, the construction work has been suspended by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, pending an investigation into potential breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Act by site officials.
The construction site in question, however, does not fall under the Serious Accident Penalty Act, as the project’s estimated cost is approximately 1.4 billion won. This act applies to construction businesses with turnovers exceeding 5 billion won. Nevertheless, the authorities will thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the incident to determine if any additional action needs to be taken.
As investigations continue, our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the deceased workers.
Source: Reporter Jo Soo-hyun joeloach@kyeongin.com
“When I turned around after hearing the screams, dirt had already poured in.”
Anyangcheon water supply construction site in Gocheon-dong, Uiwang-si on the 11th. Mr A, who was working on excavation in the front section when two workers entered a pit about 2.5 meters deep and were crushed by a pile of dirt during water pipe expansion work, said this, recalling the situation full of tension at the time of the accident. Mr A said, “I was digging the ground about 10 meters away from where the accident happened. I heard a ‘thud’ sound and when I turned around, all the dirt had already poured out.”
Buried in soil during welding of a water pipe connection
Found in cardiac arrest, moved but died.
“I think the ground conditions were not good.”
Police, investigation into support placement, etc.
He visited the Anyang Stream waterworks construction site in Gocheon-dong, Uiwang-si on the 11th. This morning, two workers entered a pool approximately 2.5 meters deep and were crushed by a pile of dirt during water pipe expansion work, and were taken to hospital, but eventually died. 2023.9.11 /Reporter Jo Soo-hyun joeloach@kyeongin.com
According to Uiwang Police Station and Gyeonggi Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters, the accident occurred at 10:48 am at the site of the ‘Anyangcheon Water Pipe Expansion Work’ ordered by Uiwang City, Mr B, in his 70s, and Mr C, fell in his 30s, on soil that had accumulated nearby while welding the water pipe connection, and it happened when it was buried. The fire brigade arrived at the scene after receiving a report from a construction site officer, found B and C in cardiac arrest, and took them to a nearby hospital, but they eventually died.
Construction was due to start last July and continue until June next year. Officials from the construction company who met at the site claimed that the work had been done smoothly in the same order as the previous section, but they cautiously speculated that the weak condition of the ground could have caused the collapse. . An official from a construction company claimed, “We followed the work schedule starting with digging, installing and welding water pipes,” but he also claimed, “It seems the condition of the land was not good.”
He visited the Anyang Stream waterworks construction site in Gocheon-dong, Uiwang-si on the 11th. This morning, two workers entered a pool approximately 2.5 meters deep and were crushed by a pile of dirt during water pipe expansion work, and were taken to hospital, but eventually died. 2023.9.11 /Reporter Jo Soo-hyun joeloach@kyeongin.com
Police are investigating whether safety measures were followed by site officials, including whether supports were placed on both sides of the soil pit to prevent the soil from collapsing. If responsibility for the accident is found among officials of the construction company, including Uiwang City Hall, the booking party, the policy is to book them on charges of professional negligence causing death. A police officer said, “When we went to the scene of the accident, we confirmed that safety devices such as restraints were not installed properly,” but added, “It’s still difficult to determine (if there are charges), so further investigation in necessary.” He added, “Since this is a construction project ordered by Uiwang City, we intend to investigate whether the city is responsible.”
In the meantime, it was decided that the construction site in question was not subject to the Serious Accident Penalty Act as the construction amount was approximately 1.4 billion won. In the construction industry, businesses with a construction turnover of 5 billion or more are subject to the Serious Accident Penalty Act. However, the Ministry of Employment and Labor immediately suspended work on the site and began an investigation to see if site officials had breached the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
/Reporter Jo Soo-hyun joeloach@kyeongin.com
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