SEOUL — 1995 · Major Tragedy
The Sampoong Department Store Collapse
At 5:52 p.m. on 29 June 1995, the south wing of the Sampoong Department Store in Seoul's Seocho district collapsed within seconds. 502 people were killed and 937 injured, making it the deadliest peacetime disaster in South Korea's history. Investigators uncovered unauthorised design changes made during construction, columns thinner than required and heavy air-conditioning equipment later installed on the roof. Although cracks on the top floor had been widening for hours, the building was not evacuated. The company chairman and chief executive received prison terms for negligence causing death, and two city officials were convicted of taking bribes. A young employee pulled alive from the rubble after 17 days became a symbol of hope.
- Date
- 1995
- Place
- Seocho-gu, Seoul, KR
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 37.4920, 127.0130 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 29 June 1995 (morning)Cracks widened on the fifth floor; the store stayed open.
- 29 June 1995, 5:52 p.m.The south wing collapsed; 502 people died.
- 16 July 1995An employee was pulled alive from the rubble after 17 days.
- AftermathCompany executives and bribed officials were convicted.
- 2004A residential complex was completed on the site.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Sampoong Department Store collapse en.wikipedia.org ↗
- WorldAtlas — The Sampoong Department Store Disaster of 1995 worldatlas.com ↗
- Wikipedia (EN)
- WorldAtlas
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
Related Cases
More cases from Seoul
More cases from the 1990s
Categories
Collections
🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.