The scene of the hot-water pipe rupture in Magok-dong [Provided by Gangseo-gu Office via Yonhap]
The scene of the hot-water pipe rupture in Magok-dong [Provided by Gangseo-gu Office via Yonhap]

A person in their 40s is in critical condition after a hot-water pipe buried beneath a road near an apartment complex in Magok-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, ruptured and they fell into the hole it created, suffering burns over 60% of their body.

According to fire department and Gangseo-gu officials, the thermal pipeline ruptured at around 8:18 p.m. Friday on a road near an apartment complex in Magok-dong.

Authorities received a report of a burn victim at the scene at around 1 a.m. Saturday and dispatched emergency responders, who transported the victim to a hospital.

The victim fell into a hole formed by the pipe rupture while passing through the area, investigators said. The victim sustained second- and third-degree burns over 60% of the body and is currently receiving treatment in an intensive care unit in serious condition.

At the time of the accident, steam rose from multiple points along the road, and the ground subsided, causing a traffic signal pole to topple and sustain damage.

The rupture also cut off heating and hot-water supply to 8,965 nearby households. A Seoul Energy Corporation employee inspecting the scene also sustained burns after stepping into a puddle of accumulated hot water.


bbo@heraldcorp.com