On the morning of April 13, a ground subsidence incident occurred near the Sasang–Hadan urban railway construction site. Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon promptly visited the scene and is leading the recovery efforts to minimize disruption and prevent further risks.
The sinkhole measured approximately 3 meters wide, 4.5 meters long, and 5 meters deep. Mayor Park arrived at the site around 10:30 a.m., received a briefing on the incident, and personally oversaw the emergency response and restoration plan.
The first signs of ground instability were detected around 5:00 a.m. during routine patrols by construction staff. While initial safety measures were being taken, the ground subsided at approximately 5:30 a.m. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The city, in cooperation with relevant agencies, aims to complete temporary restoration by the end of the day and ensure that traffic resumes smoothly by 6:00 a.m. on April 14.
●Date & Time: April 13, 2025 (Sunday), 5:30 a.m.
●Location: Gaya-daero 99, in front of Hyundai BNG Steel, Saebyeok-ro, Sasang-gu
●Report: Initial signs of ground movement were reported around 5:00 a.m. by local police and site staff
●Injuries: None reported
The cause of the sinkhole is presumed to be long-term water leakage due to damage at the junction of a telecommunication conduit embedded in a stormwater drainage box culvert. The leak likely led to the erosion of surrounding soil particles, eventually forming a cavity underground. Experts will conduct further investigations to determine the exact cause.
The city will collaborate closely with Sasang-gu District Office, underground facility managers, and the Busan Transportation Corporation to prevent additional subsidence. This includes conducting detailed inspections and implementing preventive measures.
Mayor Park stated:
“Identifying the root cause of these recurring incidents is our top priority. We will thoroughly investigate through expert-led assessments to ensure this does not happen again.”
He further emphasized:
“Take immediate action to restore the site and minimize inconvenience for citizens. Expand the scope of inspection to include nearby construction sites and existing facilities, and establish comprehensive countermeasures to prevent recurrence.”
“With recent large-scale accidents occurring nationwide, citizen anxiety is on the rise. We must devote our full attention to real, proactive safety measures to prevent future accidents.”
[Photos from On-Site Inspection Available Separately]
This content has been translated by AI. Please refer to the attached original Korean version for accuracy if needed.
Translated by AI
Link to Busan press releases in Korean