▲ This file photo shows a collapsed boiler tower at a thermal power plant in Ulsan, about 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on Nov. 14, 2025. (Yonhap)

fatal industrial accidents-rise

Fatal industrial accidents rose last year

SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) -- The number of workers who died in industrial accidents last year shifted to an increase for the first time in three years since relevant statistics began to be compiled in 2022, the labor ministry said Tuesday.

According to the ministry's data, the number of industrial fatalities subject to investigation stood at 605 in 2025, an increase of 16, or 2.7 percent, from 589 in the previous year.

The number of fatal industrial accidents also increased 3.6 percent last year from 553 to 573.

Statistics on fatal industrial accidents subject to investigation exclude cases where it is clear that the employer did not violate the law in worker death accidents occurring at industrial sites.

By industry, fatalities in construction increased by 10, or 3.6 percent, to 286, while other industries saw an increase of 16.7 percent to 161. In comparison, the manufacturing industry recorded a decline of 9.7 percent to 158.

The number of worker deaths at workplaces employing less than 50 people increased by 12, or 3.5 percent, to 351 last year, while the number at workplaces employing 50 or more rose by four, or 1.6 percent, to 254.

By accident type, falls caused 249 fatalities (41.2 percent of the total), being struck by objects caused 72 deaths (11.9 percent) and collapses caused 38 (6.3 percent).

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