A chain-reaction collision caused a fire inside the Daegwanryeong Tunnel on the Yeongdong Expressway on Friday, forcing the evacuation of 16 people [1].

The incident caused a total shutdown of traffic heading toward Gangneung, disrupting a major transit artery in South Korea. Because tunnel fires present extreme risks due to smoke accumulation and limited egress, the full closure of the route was necessary to ensure public safety and allow emergency crews to operate.

The blaze began around 12 p.m. at the 220 km point of the expressway [1]. According to reports, the collision caused several vehicles to catch fire, which quickly filled the tunnel with thick, black smoke [1]. Emergency responders evacuated 16 drivers and fire-rescue personnel from the site [1].

Firefighters worked to contain the flames as smoke billowed from the tunnel exits. The fire was fully extinguished by approximately 1:25 p.m. [1]. Despite the intensity of the blaze and the number of vehicles involved, no injuries were reported [1].

Yang Il-hyeok, a reporter for YTN, said that while black smoke had previously been pouring out of the tunnel, the area around the site was empty by the time the fire was suppressed [1]. He said that traffic in the direction of Gangneung remains under full control [1].

Authorities have not yet released the specific cause of the initial collision that triggered the chain reaction. The tunnel remains closed to traffic as crews assess the structural integrity of the passage, and clear the wreckage of the burned vehicles [1].

“The fire was fully extinguished by approximately 1:25 PM.”

This incident highlights the vulnerability of high-traffic tunnel corridors to chain-reaction accidents. The total closure of the Yeongdong Expressway toward Gangneung demonstrates the significant economic and logistical impact a single tunnel fire can have on regional connectivity in South Korea.