South Korean rescue workers employed explosives to demolish two high-rise structures on Tuesday, facilitating the recovery of two workers presumed dead and two others still missing beneath the debris of a collapsed industrial plant. The incident occurred at a decommissioned heating plant at a power plant in Ulsan, where nine workers were engaged in weakening the structures foundation before its scheduled demolition.

According to Thai News Agency, the structure unexpectedly collapsed five days ago, initially trapping seven of the workers under the rubble. Although two workers were swiftly rescued, the unstable condition of the debris, which posed a risk of further collapse, complicated the rescue efforts. Three additional workers were later extricated from the site.

Two adjacent structures, each approximately 60 meters high, were deemed too unstable, preventing rescuers from deploying heavy machinery and thereby prolonging the rescue operation. Footage of the demolition captured the rapid collapse of the
structures within seconds of the explosives detonation, enveloped by smoke and debris.

Local media reported that Labor Minister Kim Yong-hoon indicated a criminal investigation into the collapse will commence once the bodies of the workers are recovered.