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The Deadly Korean Bridge Collapse That Killed 32 - Bus Filled With Students Fell 66ft Into Han River

Rotten Mango・58 minutes read

Sinking car escape strategies are crucial, with Minjun's Han River incident underscoring the importance of quick action and survival skills. The tragic bridge collapse at Muhawk Girls High School exposes construction flaws, negligence, blame-shifting, and minimal consequences, highlighting the need for improved safety measures and accountability.

Insights

In a sinking car, occupants have 2 minutes to escape, with advice to roll down windows before full submersion and use objects to break them if necessary, ensuring swift exit strategies to avoid being trapped underwater.
The collapse of the Hungu Bridge in South Korea was a result of flawed construction practices by Tonga ENC prioritizing speed and cost over safety, with subsequent criminal investigations targeting officials and contractors, leading to minimal consequences for those responsible despite promises of improved safety measures from the government.

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Summary

00:00

Escape a sinking car in 2 minutes.

A sinking car will be fully submerged within 30 to 120 seconds, giving occupants around 2 minutes to escape.
The front of a sinking car typically starts to nose dive due to its heavier weight, allowing more water in.
Professionals advise rolling down car windows before full submersion as it becomes nearly impossible to open doors underwater.
If unable to roll down windows, find an object to break them, avoiding the thickest windshield glass.
After breaking windows, remove seat belt, help others, and swim out when water level is below the open window.
Swimming against water pressure is necessary once water enters the car through the window.
Use feet to kick off the car for propulsion towards the surface during escape.
A man named Minjun woke up in a sinking car in the Han River, struggling to escape as water filled the vehicle.
Minjun broke a window using his elbow to escape, jumping out and realizing he was on a floating concrete slab in the river.
The Han River incident involved a bridge collapse, leaving 32 people dead on the floating concrete island, with survivors struggling to save each other.

14:33

Tragic Bus Crash Sparks North Korea Fears

A bus full of people is seen upside down, squashed, with blood-soaked hair and ripped backpacks.
The incident occurred near Muhawk Girls High School in Korea, where students aim to be in class by 7:50 a.m.
On October 21st, eight students were missing due to a collapsed bridge leading to the school.
Reports suggest North Korea's involvement, sparking fears of war and mass casualties.
The collapse involved bus number 16, which was left dangling off the bridge.
The bus driver attempted to save the bus but failed, leading to a tragic crash.
Families of victims ponder the "butterfly effect," questioning small actions that could have altered events.
The butterfly effect concept is explained through a time travel scenario involving a T-Rex.
Yaa, a student, narrowly avoids the bus due to oversleeping, while Sarah misses it due to studying.
Only one of the two students from Muhawk Girls High School survives the tragic incident.

28:24

Heroic Officers Save Lives in Bridge Collapse

Police officers respond to a bridge collapse, hearing cries for help and spotting two people in the water being swept away by strong currents.
A half-submerged car with two teachers inside is at risk of sinking, prompting officers to act quickly.
Officers attempt to rescue the teachers by throwing a spare tire connected to a rope into the water, but it fails.
Two officers dive into the water without hesitation to save the teachers, successfully bringing them back to safety.
More teachers are trapped in a crushed bus, with officers pulling out survivors covered in blood and showing signs of hypothermia.
Officer Lee selflessly gives his clothes to keep rescued individuals warm, despite the risk of hypothermia due to blood loss.
Despite the challenging conditions, officers continue to rescue people from the bus, shedding clothes to provide warmth.
Rescue boats arrive late, leading to delays in saving lives, with 32 people dying and 17 injured in the tragic incident.
Officer Lee's nonchalant report to his father about the rescue efforts highlights the emotional toll and shock of the situation.
The collapse of the Hangang Bridge, a symbol of economic progress, raises questions about safety measures and the tragic loss of 32 lives, including students.

42:39

Tragic Bridge Collapse: Negligence, Blame, and Consequences

Peter, a young man, tragically died in a bridge collapse on his last day at work before focusing on his studies to become an accountant.
Bridges rely on balance to stay stable, with different types requiring various methods to achieve equilibrium.
Beam bridges, the simplest type, use tresses to support longer spans without adding extra chairs or pillars.
The Hungu Bridge in South Korea utilized triangular support systems to reduce the need for numerous pillars, enhancing stability.
The construction of the Hungu Bridge was severely flawed, with inadequate welding and support systems, leading to its eventual collapse.
Tonga ENC, the construction company behind the bridge, prioritized speed and cost over safety, resulting in a poorly constructed bridge.
The government's negligence in inspecting and maintaining the bridge, along with allowing heavy vehicles beyond safe limits, contributed to the disaster.
Tonga's chairman initially accepted moral responsibility for the collapse but later shifted blame to the city government and denied legal liability.
Criminal investigations and arrests followed the collapse, targeting Tonga officials, government employees, and maintenance contractors for their roles in the disaster.
The aftermath saw minimal consequences for those responsible, with Tonga Group eventually filing for bankruptcy, and promises of improved safety measures from the government.

56:43

Government hires Hyundai to rebuild bridge after tragedy

The government responded to public outcry by hiring Hyundai engineering and construction to dismantle the existing sunu bridge and construct a new one for $140 million, partially recycling old parts. Families of deceased victims were compensated $312,000 per victim, while injured individuals received minimal assistance, with police officers who rescued victims receiving no compensation or mental health support.
A father of a victim later took his own life at the new bridge, haunted by survivor's guilt, while families of victims expressed deep emotional pain during the identification process. Despite almost 30 years passing, annual memorials near the hungu bridge serve as a reminder to prevent such tragedies in the future, emphasizing the importance of never forgetting such incidents.

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