A vehicle fire in the Daegwanryeong 4 Tunnel and heavy holiday traffic caused widespread congestion across South Korean highways on Friday [1].
These disruptions occurred during the first day of the Constitution Day holiday, a period characterized by a surge in domestic travel. The combination of a major tunnel closure and systemic highway gridlock hampered regional mobility and emergency response efforts in Gangwon Province.
The fire in the Daegwanryeong 4 Tunnel was reported at approximately 11:50 a.m. [1]. According to YTN, the blaze was triggered by a rear-end collision inside the tunnel [1]. The South Korean fire department responded by issuing a level-2 emergency response [1].
Authorities implemented a full closure of the tunnel entry to prevent further accidents and allow emergency crews to access the site [1]. While the fire department worked to contain the blaze, officials said they were still in the process of determining whether there were any casualties from the crash and subsequent fire [1].
Outside the tunnel, the national expressway system faced significant strain. Heavy traffic was reported at multiple points, including the Gyeongbu Expressway near the Jamwon interchange [2]. The congestion affected primarily the lanes heading toward provincial areas as residents departed for the holiday break [2].
Local authorities advised motorists to seek alternative routes to avoid the gridlock surrounding the Daegwanryeong 4 Tunnel and the saturated expressways. The level-2 response indicates a significant mobilization of firefighting resources to manage the risks associated with tunnel fires, which often present ventilation and evacuation challenges [1].
“The fire in the Daegwanryeong 4 Tunnel was reported at approximately 11:50 a.m.”
The incident highlights the vulnerability of South Korea's transport infrastructure during peak holiday periods. A single collision in a critical artery like the Daegwanryeong 4 Tunnel can create a cascading effect, exacerbating existing holiday congestion and requiring high-level emergency interventions to prevent mass-casualty events in confined spaces.
