Police probe bridge collapse that injured seven in Siheung

The site of the collapsed bridge at an overpass construction site in Siheung, Gyeonggi, on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

Police launched an investigation Wednesday to determine the cause of a bridge collapse in Siheung, Gyeonggi, a day earlier.

On Tuesday afternoon, a partial bridge deck at an overpass construction site in Siheung collapsed, injuring seven individuals, including six construction workers and one passerby.

The collapse happened while a crane was trying to move a 50-meter (54-yard) bridge girder onto an 8-meter tall pier, according to media reports.

During the installation, six people were working on the bridge's deck. Two fell to the ground after it collapsed.

One of the construction workers who fell in his 50s was severely injured and directly transferred to Gachon University Gil Medical Center’s Incheon Regional Trauma Center, according to media reports.

The other injured individuals were sent to nearby hospitals or treated on-site.

The passerby was slightly injured while driving past the construction site.

The Gyeonggi Siheung Police Precinct said Wednesday that an investigation team, consisting of 18 officials, was formed.

The team will investigate individuals and entities related to the accident, including SK ecoplant, which was in charge of the construction, and analyze nearby surveillance footage.

A joint on-site inspection with the National Forensic Service, the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency is also scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

Police said they would determine the cause of the accident through the joint inspection and investigations of relevant parties

A fire also broke out after a piece of the collapsed structure hit a construction worker’s truck nearby.

Fire authorities said no casualties occurred as no one was in the vehicle.

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]