The search for the missing individuals who were buried under the collapsed boiler tower at the Ulsan Thermal Power Plant, which occurred on the 6th, entered its third day on the 8th. Despite ongoing efforts, the whereabouts of two people remain unknown.
According to the Ulsan Fire Headquarters, rescue teams have been working around the clock since the incident. On the night of the 6th, approximately 40 firefighters were deployed in five-person teams, rotating shifts to ensure continuous operations. They used advanced equipment such as drones, thermal imaging detectors, and endoscopic cameras to scan the site. However, no additional survivors or missing individuals were found during these searches.
In this tragic accident, three out of the nine individuals who were buried—Kim, 44 years old; Jeon, 49 years old; and Lee, 61 years old—have been confirmed dead. Two others are presumed deceased but are still trapped beneath thousands of tons of debris. Additionally, two more individuals are still unaccounted for.
One of the major challenges in the rescue operation is the lack of large cranes capable of lifting the massive tower structure. This has delayed critical efforts to access the trapped individuals. The reasons for not deploying such equipment include concerns about the structural integrity of the adjacent units.
The 4th and 6th units, which are located next to the collapsed 5th unit, are considered structurally vulnerable. There is a risk of further collapses if heavy machinery is brought in, especially due to vibrations. According to recent reports, the 4th unit has completed 100% of the weakening process, making it ready for demolition. The 6th unit is 75% complete in this process. On-site assessments indicate that the structures are highly unstable, with collapses reported even in strong winds.
Kim Jeong-sik, head of the Prevention and Safety Division at Ulsan Nambu Fire Station, shared details about the current situation. He stated, “Rescue personnel have searched most areas visible to the human eye, both inside and outside the tower. They have also removed nearly all small steel reinforcements that can be cut by humans.”
Fire authorities are currently discussing plans to dismantle the 4th and 6th units first before bringing in cranes. This decision comes after consultations with relevant authorities. The goal is to create safer conditions for the rescue operations while minimizing the risk of further collapses.
Until the dismantling of the 4th and 6th units is complete, the plan remains for rescue personnel to continue searching and rescuing individuals inside the structure. This ongoing effort highlights the complexity and danger involved in the operation, as well as the urgency to locate and save any remaining survivors.