Emergency crews rescued 17 people after a sea footbridge partially collapsed in Pohang, South Korea, on Tuesday afternoon [1].
The incident highlights potential structural vulnerabilities in coastal tourism infrastructure during peak summer travel periods. The rapid response by local authorities prevented a larger-scale tragedy as civilians were stranded over open water.
The collapse occurred on the Boritdol Bridge, a sea footbridge measuring approximately 170 meters [1]. The structure connects Janggil-ri in Guryeongpo-eup, located in the North Gyeongsang Province [1].
Witnesses and officials said the collapse happened between 13:10 and 13:15 [1]. The bridge's middle pier and deck gave way, leaving 17 people isolated on the remaining sections of the walkway [1]. Those trapped included tourists, fishermen, and other civilians [1].
Fire authorities deployed a combination of official rescue boats and private fishing vessels to reach the stranded group. The rescue operation was completed around 14:00, approximately 50 minutes after the initial collapse [1].
Despite the successful evacuation of those seen on the bridge, the operation continued into the evening. Fire authorities said they are continuing to check if anyone fell into the sea during the impact of the collapse [1].
Local officials have not yet released the specific cause of the structural failure. The collapse of the middle pier suggests a significant failure of the bridge's primary support system, an event that has prompted immediate safety concerns for similar coastal walkways in the region [1].
“17 people isolated on the bridge”
This failure of the Boritdol Bridge likely triggers a broader safety audit of coastal pedestrian bridges across South Korea's eastern seaboard. Because the middle pier collapsed suddenly, investigators will focus on saltwater corrosion and load-bearing capacities, which are critical for structures exposed to harsh marine environments and high tourist traffic.
