A worker has died and six others remain trapped after a massive structure collapsed at a South Korean power plant undergoing demolition, authorities said on Friday (Nov 7). Fire and rescue officials reported that the accident occurred Thursday afternoon while workers were dismantling parts of a decommissioned steel heating facility.

Footage from the scene showed the crumpled remains of the huge framework lying amid other similar structures. Two workers were rescued soon after the collapse, while two others were later found under the debris, fire official Kim Jung-shik told reporters. One worker was confirmed dead early Friday, and the condition of another remains uncertain.

Rescue teams have deployed thermal sensors, remote cameras, and sniffer dogs to help locate the remaining trapped workers. However, their efforts have been hindered by fears that parts of the structure could collapse further, making the operation highly dangerous. Officials said they were moving cautiously to prevent additional casualties while continuing to search through the tangled wreckage.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who has made workplace safety a top national priority, has directed all available resources toward rescuing those still trapped. He also emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse to prevent future incidents. The tragedy has once again raised concerns over safety standards at industrial and demolition sites across South Korea, where several fatal workplace accidents have occurred in recent years despite repeated government pledges to strengthen safety regulations.