Third Body Recover After Boiler Tower Collapse in Ulsan Power Plant

Rescue workers in Ulsan, southeastern South Korea, have retrieved a third body from the debris of a collapsed boiler tower at a local thermal power plant. The structure gave way on Thursday while workers were preparing it for demolition.

Authorities confirmed that two bodies were located on Friday, while the remains of a 44-year-old worker—who died while awaiting rescue—were reached early Sunday morning. Two additional workers are believed to be dead and remain trapped beneath the rubble, while the locations of two others have yet to be identified.

The 60-metre (196-foot) tall boiler tower, which had operated for four decades before shutting down in 2021, was in the process of being dismantled when it collapsed. Rescue crews have been using search dogs and heat-detection equipment, but progress has been slowed due to the risk of further structural failure.

Officials say the site is contaminated with asbestos and glass fibers, forcing rescue teams to remove debris manually in extremely confined spaces.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has directed authorities to deploy all available resources to support the rescue and recovery operation.