How many people were injured in the Daegu building ceiling collapse, and how serious were their injuries?

Thirty-eight people sustained minor injuries, and nine were transported to hospitals. None of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening.

What happened during the ceiling collapse in Daegu, and how did people escape?

The ceiling finish collapsed on the second floor while a vendor was selling kitchenware and other goods to elderly customers. All 66 people inside evacuated the four-story building on their own, after which firefighters searched the site for additional casualties.

What are authorities investigating after the Daegu ceiling collapse?

Authorities plan to determine the exact cause and circumstances of the collapse. Firefighters implemented safety measures at the scene, while police controlled traffic around the building.

Ceiling collapse at Daegu building injures 38

Listen

Summary

A ceiling section collapsed at 10:16 a.m. Saturday on the second floor of a four-story building in Gwaneum-dong, Daegu, injuring 38 people. All 66 people inside evacuated, and nine injured people were taken to hospitals; none had life-threatening injuries. Firefighters searched the building and secured the scene, while authorities planned to investigate the cause. President Lee Jae Myung and Prime Minister Han Seong-sook ordered an extensive emergency response.

Key Facts

The building was constructed in 1994 and formerly housed a grocery store on the first floor, which stopped operating in September.
A vendor was selling kitchenware and other goods to elderly customers when the ceiling finish collapsed.
Firefighters found no additional casualties after searching the building, and police managed traffic around the site.
Prime Minister Han Seong-sook directed the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Fire Agency to mobilize available equipment and personnel and identify nearby hospitals for injured people.

By Pyo Kyung-min

Published Oct 10, 2026 2:00 pm KST
Updated Oct 10, 2026 3:15 pm KST

Ceiling panels lie on the floor of a commercial building in Daegu after collapsing Saturday morning, leaving dozens of people with minor injuries. Yonhap

Thirty-eight people suffered minor injuries Saturday when part of a ceiling collapsed at a building in Daegu, fire authorities said.

According to the Daegu Fire and Safety Headquarters and the Buk District Office, the incident occurred at 10:16 a.m. on the second floor of a four-story building in Gwaneum-dong, Buk District. At the time, a vendor was selling kitchenware and other goods to elderly customers when a section of the ceiling finish collapsed.

All 66 people inside evacuated the building on their own following the collapse. A total of 38 people were reported to have sustained minor injuries, with nine of them transported to hospitals. None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.

Firefighters were dispatched to conduct a search and implement safety measures at the scene. A thorough search following the evacuation revealed no additional casualties.

Police also deployed officers around the site to manage traffic.

Built in 1994, the four-story building previously housed a grocery store on the first floor, which had suspended operations in September. Authorities plan to investigate the exact cause and circumstances surrounding the collapse.

President Lee Jae Myung earlier ordered all-out rescue and response efforts shortly after the incident, according to senior presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung.

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook had also instructed the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Fire Agency to mobilize all available equipment and personnel for rescue operations. She called on authorities to identify nearby medical facilities able to take in patients and to swiftly transport anyone found injured.

Explore More