2 subcontract workers killed in train accident in Cheongdo
Authorities carry out restoration work after a Mugunghwa train collided with a KTX-Sancheon train stationed at Seoul Station, Tuesday. Yonhap
Two subcontract workers were killed and another four were seriously hurt Tuesday when they were struck by a passenger train in the southeastern county of Cheongdo, officials said.
The accident occurred around 10:50 a.m. near the Cheongdo Bullfighting Stadium when a Mugunghwa train bound for Jinju in South Gyeongsang Province hit seven workers as they were moving to inspect structures on a slope near the tracks, according to police and the state-run Korea Railroad Corp. (KORAIL).
They were taken to nearby hospitals, but two died. The remaining one worker sustained light injuries.
The train hit the seven workers from behind. The group included a KORAIL employee, while the rest were from a safety inspection company.
Eighty-nine passengers were on board the train, with no injuries reported so far.
The workers were moving near the tracks to inspect damage to the structures from recent heavy rains in Cheongdo, according to KORAIL.
A fire agency official said the workers may have not noticed the approaching electric passenger train, which is generally quieter than trains powered by other types of fuel.
The accident also took place about 120 meters from a curved section of the tracks.
The land ministry dispatched rail safety experts to the scene and vowed to take stern measures if it finds violations of the Railroad Safety Act.
The regional employment and labor office in Daegu has also launched a probe into possible violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.
Police also plan to look into whether company officials followed proper safety procedures.
Due to the accident, rail services in the area were partially delayed for up to about an hour.