On the morning of February 25, 2025, a devastating incident unfolded in South Korea when a bridge under construction collapsed, leaving a trail of destruction and loss. The accident occurred at a highway construction site, with reports placing it in Cheonan, approximately 82 kilometers south of Seoul. As rescue teams scramble to respond, the nation mourns the lives lost and grapples with the aftermath of yet another construction tragedy.

The collapse happened around 9:49 a.m. local time, when steel supports—some spanning 50 meters—gave way unexpectedly. Early reports indicate that at least three construction workers perished, with five others sustaining injuries, four of whom are in critical condition. Initial estimates suggested as many as eight workers may have been trapped beneath the rubble, prompting an urgent response from the National Fire Agency. Deploying 53 personnel from 18 divisions, the agency issued a level-two emergency alert, mobilizing firefighters from nearby stations to search for survivors amidst the twisted steel and debris.

Dramatic footage circulating online captures the moment the structure buckled, sending a plume of dust into the air and underscoring the sheer force of the collapse. The bridge was part of the Seoul-Sejong expressway project, a significant infrastructure endeavor aimed at improving connectivity in the region. While the exact cause remains under investigation, the incident has already sparked concerns about safety standards at construction sites across the country.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok swiftly addressed the crisis, calling for an all-out effort to rescue any missing workers and emphasizing the need for robust safety measures moving forward. The scene, described as chaotic and heartbreaking, has left witnesses and responders shaken. “It was like thunder,” one survivor of a past bridge collapse in South Korea once said of a similar event—a sentiment likely echoed by those who witnessed this disaster.