Special team to probe overpass collapse

An investigation team has been formed to look into the overpass collapse in Seoul on Tuesday, which killed three people, the Republic of Korea's prosecutors said.

"We will work closely with related agencies, including police and labor authorities, to thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident and determine responsibility," the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office said in a media notice on Wednesday, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The prosecutors' office also said that it will ensure prompt support for the victims.

The announcement came after the ROK President Lee Jae-myung ordered a comprehensive investigation into the accident on Tuesday and instructed officials to devise preventive measures against a recurrence.

A long section of an aging overpass in central Seoul, built in 1966 and scheduled to be torn down next month, collapsed during demolition work on Tuesday afternoon.

Two senior city public works officials and one outside expert were killed in the accident. Another three workers suffered injuries.

A Seoul city official said the demolition was suspended early on Tuesday for a safety inspection in the afternoon after workers detected signs of subsidence in the structure.

Trains suspended

More than 120 KTX high-speed trains and several regular rail services were suspended or rerouted after the accident as the falling debris affected power lines near Seoul Station, according to the Korea Railroad Corp, or Korail.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said it plans to restore railway facilities as early as Friday if no further obstacles occur, with normal train operations to resume on the morning of Saturday.

A construction accident investigation committee consisting of 12 external experts will also be formed to determine the cause of the accident and prevent recurrence.

Choi Myung-gi of the Korea Industrial Site Professors Group said the collapse likely resulted from a combination of factors, including inspectors climbing onto the structure and vibrations from train operations below, as the 60-year-old overpass seemed to have very little remaining capacity to bear loads.

"What is even more regrettable is that there is no manual for safety inspection personnel," Choi was quoted as saying by Yonhap. "There are no guidelines whatsoever on how to carry out preventive reinforcement."