El derrumbe del Gran Almacen Sampoong: el mayor desastre de un centro comercial de la historia
The Tragic Collapse of the Sampoong Department Store
Background and Initial Plans
- The Sampoong Department Store was initially intended to be an apartment complex, but Lee John, the protagonist and entrepreneur, decided mid-project to convert it into a shopping mall.
- This change in plans required significant structural modifications, including the removal of supports for escalators. The construction company refused to comply with these changes.
Construction Issues and Decisions
- Lee John dismissed the original construction team and hired his own builders, leading to numerous problems due to inadequate structural support; there were no steel skeletons or beams.
- Lee's decision to install three 15-ton air conditioning units contributed to structural stress, resulting in cracks appearing shortly after the store's opening.
Warning Signs Ignored
- By April 1995, noticeable cracks had developed on lower floors. Civil engineers warned that if conditions continued, the building would collapse.
- Despite recommendations from directors to evacuate the building, Lee prioritized financial gain over safety concerns.
Catastrophic Collapse
- On June 29, 1995, at 5 PM, the fifth-floor ceiling began collapsing. Lee did nothing as he valued profit over safety.
- Within seconds, a major section of the building fell down, killing around 500 people and injuring over 900 others. Among them was Lee's daughter-in-law whom he ignored during evacuation efforts.
Aftermath and Consequences
- Rescue operations took days; some survivors managed to drink rainwater while others tragically drowned due to firefighting water.