How Did 38 People Get Hurt When a Mall Ceiling Collapsed in Daegu? — 38 Injured

Quick answer: Thirty-eight people were injured when the ceiling of the second floor of a four-storey commercial building collapsed in Gwangeum-dong, Buk-gu, Daegu, South Korea, at about 10.16am on Friday 10 October 2026. The 66 people inside the building evacuated on their own; nine of the injured received hospital treatment, Hankyoreh reported.

Key facts

• What: Ceiling collapse on the second floor of a commercial building
• Where: Gwangeum-dong, Buk-gu, Daegu, South Korea
• When: About 10.16am, Friday 10 October 2026
• Reported toll: 38 injured (all minor; no seriously injured)
• Reported by: Hankyoreh, 10 October 2026

What happened

According to the Daegu fire authorities, the ceiling of the second floor of the four-storey building collapsed at about 10.16am, sending ceiling panels pouring down and covering most of the floor. The 66 people inside the building evacuated on their own; 38 sustained minor injuries, and nine of them received treatment at hospital. No one was seriously injured. Some of the injuries were abrasions sustained during the evacuation.

The building

The second floor had been vacant for some time; a company had recently rented it to sell kitchenware to elderly customers, and the shop was crowded with customers when the ceiling came down.

Emergency response and investigation

The fire station dispatched 18 vehicles and 55 personnel for rescue and casualty search. Police and fire authorities are investigating the exact cause of the collapse. President Lee Jae-myung was briefed by the acting national police commissioner and instructed the relevant agencies to devote full effort to rescue and recovery.

What happens next

Investigators will establish why the ceiling collapsed, including the building's age and maintenance history and whether the recent refit for the shop played a role. The findings will determine whether any safety violations contributed to the collapse.

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Frequently asked questions

How many people were injured in the Daegu ceiling collapse?

Thirty-eight, all with minor injuries, according to the Daegu fire authorities.

Where did the collapse happen?

On the second floor of a four-storey commercial building in Gwangeum-dong, Buk-gu, Daegu, South Korea.

What caused the ceiling to collapse?

The exact cause is under investigation by police and fire authorities.

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Source: hani.co.kr — https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/area/area_general/1281739.html. Live tracking: our world map updates every 15 minutes.