Large sections of a plaster ceiling came crashing down on the second floor of a commercial building in Daegu, South Korea, on the morning of Saturday, October 10, injuring at least 38 people and sending nine to hospital, according to fire officials. The collapse struck during a kitchenware sales event aimed at senior citizens, turning an ordinary Saturday shopping trip into scenes of panic.

Table of Contents

  1. A ceiling gives way at 10:16 a.m.
  2. Panic, debris and a 10-second collapse
  3. Rescue operation: 60 firefighters, no further casualties
  4. Presidential order and government response
  5. What caused it? The investigation ahead
  6. Key takeaways
  7. Frequently Asked Questions
  8. Sources
  9. From Chronicle

A ceiling gives way at 10:16 a.m.

The collapse was reported at 10:16 a.m. local time on the second floor of a four-story building in Gwaneum-dong, in Daegu's Buk District, where a vendor was holding a kitchenware sales event. About 198 square meters (2,130 square feet) of ceiling finish material fell, with witnesses saying it began on the side opposite the building's entrance before spreading across the room.

Sixty-six people were inside the store when the ceiling gave way, many of them elderly customers who had come for the sales event. All 66 managed to evacuate, but 38 sustained injuries, according to officials cited by the Daegu Fire Department. Of those, nine were taken to hospitals. Emergency personnel at the scene determined it was highly unlikely anyone had suffered serious injuries, said fire department official Yoon Jong-mi, though officials cautioned the injury toll could still rise.

Panic, debris and a 10-second collapse

Witnesses described a terrifying few seconds. One shopper, Kim, told The Chosun Daily: "As soon as I saw the ceiling caving in, I ran out immediately." Another customer, aged 79, said it took less than 10 seconds for the entire ceiling to collapse "with a roar."

A fire department official told SBS News that most injuries were sustained "while evacuating in a panic" — scratches and abrasions from falling building debris rather than direct crushing impacts. One shopper, aged 77, was reported as saying she thought, "I'm going to die," as the material rained down.

The debris field left rescuers picking through fallen plaster, insulation and exposed ductwork across the sales floor.

Rescue operation: 60 firefighters, no further casualties

Firefighters deployed 60 personnel and 14 pieces of equipment to the scene. They combed the premises for additional casualties after the evacuation and found none. Police were deployed around the building to control traffic, and nearby roads were cleared to let ambulances through.

The Daegu Fire & Safety Department and the Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency coordinated the on-site response, while the district office began assessing the structural condition of the rest of the four-story building.

Presidential order and government response

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung was briefed on the accident by the acting police chief and instructed officials to "make every effort to rescue people and ensure a thorough response," according to his office. Prime Minister Han Seong-sook also said officials had mobilised all available personnel and equipment, and called on authorities to identify nearby medical facilities to treat the injured more quickly.

Daegu Mayor Choo Kyung-ho visited the site on the day of the accident to inspect the damage and the rescue operation.

What caused it? The investigation ahead

The cause of the collapse was not immediately clear. Authorities said they plan to investigate after completing the search operation — a standard sequence meant to rule out both structural failure and possible irregularities in the building's maintenance. The building was constructed in 1994 and had previously housed a grocery store on its first floor.

South Korea has a painful history with building disasters, and structural failures in commercial buildings draw intense public scrutiny. Officials will be looking at the age of the ceiling installation, any recent renovation work, and whether load limits on the second floor were respected during the crowded sales event.

Key takeaways

  • A 198-square-meter ceiling collapsed at 10:16 a.m. on October 10 on the second floor of a four-story building in Daegu's Buk District during a kitchenware sale for senior citizens.
  • 38 people were injured, nine of them hospitalised; all 66 people inside evacuated, and no one was in critical condition.
  • Firefighters deployed 60 personnel and 14 vehicles; a search of the premises found no additional casualties.
  • President Lee Jae Myung ordered a full rescue and response effort; authorities will investigate the cause.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened at the Daegu supermarket on October 10?

At around 10:16 a.m., large sections of plaster ceiling collapsed on the second floor of a four-story commercial building in Gwaneum-dong, Daegu, during a kitchenware sales event. Sixty-six people were inside; 38 were injured and nine were taken to hospitals.

Was anyone seriously injured in the Daegu ceiling collapse?

No. Emergency personnel at the scene said it was highly unlikely anyone had suffered serious injuries. The 38 injured people sustained minor injuries such as abrasions, mostly while evacuating in panic. Nine were transported to hospitals for treatment.

What caused the ceiling to collapse?

The cause was not immediately clear. Authorities said they plan to investigate after the search operation concluded. The building was built in 1994, and officials will examine the age of the ceiling installation and any recent renovation work.

How did the South Korean government respond?

President Lee Jae Myung was briefed by the acting police chief and ordered officials to make every effort to rescue people and handle the aftermath. Prime Minister Han Seong-sook mobilised all available personnel and equipment and asked officials to identify nearby medical facilities for faster treatment of the injured.

Sources

From Chronicle