20 Die in Collapse of 7 Story Apartment Building

20 Die in Collapse of 7 Story Apartment Building

By Kim Young Jin, of China
[2007-07-24 00:10 ]
dailynk.com

On July 23, sources inside North Korea reported that a 7 story apartment building collapsed in Hyesan-dong, Hyesan, Yangkang province, killing and wounding dozens. The building stood next to the Hyesan police station and crumbled with a massive “bang,” on July 19th. Frightened residents quickly gathered and began rescue operations with the help of soldiers and social security agents.
The building was home to 42 families, six on each floor. 20 bodies were found beneath the rubble and many wounded were sent to hospitals, some arriving days later. Casualties mounted due to the lack of rescue equipment. Because the incident occurred during working hours, most of the victims were reportedly old and feeble.
The source quoted a social safety agent from the police stand who, along with other authorities, believed the building had structural deficiencies from the beginning. Others said the building was only 15 years old and represented the latest in North Korean building styles.
He added that the rescue was hampered for at least 2 days while larger machinery was brought in. While waiting, the locals were confined to the use of shovels and hoes.
Mr. Lee, a defector from Hyesan, said in a telephone conversation with the Daily NK that there are two apartment complexes beside the Hyesan police station. One is the collapsed building which was built 15 years ago and the other is 8 stories. The complexes primarily housed party members, factory management staff, and trade company employees.
An affiliate of the National Intelligence Service in South Korea mentioned to the Daily NK that “we are investigating the incident after receiving intelligence from several sources.”



Quick Cover-up of Disaster, Collapse of Hyesan Apartments

By Lee Jong Chol, NKnet
[2007-07-24 16:46 ]
Information indicates large scale damages in the North. On the afternoon of 19th, a 7 story apartment collapsed in Hyesan killing 20 people and injuring many others. If this report is to be 100% correct, then it truly is a tragic disaster.
According to the report, the Hyesan police station heard a loud “bang” at approximately 2 o’clock. This monstrous sound was the 7 story apartment block falling to complete destruction. 20 bodies were found amidst the rubble and many others sent to the hospital wounded.
The greater tragedy of this disaster is the fact that most of the deceased were children and the elderly. Further, the death toll continued to rise as time ticked on as a result of insufficient equipment.
Undoubtedly, there is little we can say to hearten the people who lost their families and home within broad daylight. We would like to send our sympathies to the families who suffered greatly from this incident.
Just as important are the 20 Koreans who were kidnapped in Afghanistan are the lives of our friends who took their last breath amongst the destruction of an apartment building. North Korean authorities must make efforts to ensure that the rescue of all victims is prioritized. South Korea and the international community must also give full support and aid these victims without restrain.
As North Korea passes yet another hard farming season, reports indicate that more and more people are living without basic meals as the cost of rice continues to rise. Even though they may not be dying of starvation, nevertheless, their pains are still being heard. Meanwhile, amidst these tragic circumstances, the Kim Jong Il regime continues to ploy with nuclear weapons, block borders and execute public executions.
This kind of tragedy is disastrous for North Koreans who live in amongst poverty and an oppressive government. Even if the building of an upper class North Korean was to have collapsed, this would only equal the home of a middle class citizen in South Korea. We cannot assess the pains of the victims or this catastrophe lightly.
If North Korean authorities do not have the facilities to take responsibility for this accident, then it should be made public to the international community and immediate aid requested. Prevention should be taken to avoid deaths of victims due to inadequate resources and medicine.
Even if such accidents do occur, North Korean authorities end rescue operations end within 24 hours. Real efforts and action isn't even made defectors say. Rather, North Korean authorities contemplate on how they could procure more international aid.
Though the lives of our friends in North Korea were buried under the collapse of a building, the fact remaining is the absurd truth of North Korea’s irresponsible and absent government.
We send our deep condolences to the families in North Korea who have suffered from this tragic accident and hope that no more lives are sacrificed from inadequate rescue operations and relief.