Seoul Metropolitan Government officials conduct an on-site investigation at the Seosomun overpass accident scene in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. [Yonhap]
Seoul Metropolitan Government officials conduct an on-site investigation at the Seosomun overpass accident scene in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. [Yonhap]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will form an external expert investigation committee whenever a facility accident injures five or more people, strengthening efforts to determine causes and prevent recurrences. Accident scenes must in principle be preserved as found, but if debris must be moved for rescue or emergency repairs, the entire removal process must be documented in writing and on video so investigators can reconstruct what happened. The measures follow the collapse of the Seosomun overpass in May.

The city announced Monday that it had published a proposed operating rule for the Seoul Metropolitan Government Facility Accident Investigation Committee — referred to as the investigation committee — for public comment from Friday through Sept. 9.

Under the draft rule, a committee may be formed and an investigation launched when a facility accident injures between five and nine people, or when the Seoul mayor determines that a facility incident warrants examination. Facility accidents involving fatalities or missing persons are currently subject to investigation by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which can convene a central facility accident investigation committee.

The committee pool will consist of up to 100 qualified experts appointed or commissioned by the mayor according to their fields of specialization, each serving a two-year term with the possibility of renewal. For any given investigation, a committee of up to 12 members, including one chairperson, will be assembled.

The committee will examine conditions at the scene, debris and material samples, and conduct accredited testing when necessary. It may also secure video footage and documents from the time of the accident and take statements from witnesses and those involved. On-site investigations must begin within one week of an accident and conclude within two months, with extensions permitted when needed.

Personnel at the accident site are required to cooperate fully with the committee's work, including submitting materials, providing testimony and allowing access to the scene. Facility managers must take steps to preserve the accident site immediately after an incident. However, if emergency repairs or debris removal are necessary to prevent further harm, the reasons and the entire process must be recorded in documents and on video.

When analyzing the cause of an accident, investigators are directed to guard against fixing on a predetermined conclusion. The rules call for investigators to develop multiple hypotheses and keep all possibilities open until each can be ruled out by clear evidence, in order to enhance the credibility of findings. The final hypothesis must be explainable through engineering principles based on test results and on-site data. Upon completing an investigation, the committee will produce a report covering the cause and analysis of the accident, its conclusions, and recommendations to prevent a recurrence. Committee meeting minutes will be made public as a rule.


ikson@heraldcorp.com