Chaos in Daegu: Ceiling Collapse at Senior Promotional Event Leaves 38 Injured

DAEGU, South Korea — A routine promotional gathering turned into a scene of panic on Saturday morning, October 10, 2026 when sections of a heavy ceiling finish caved in on attendees, leaving at least 38 people injured.

The disaster struck around 10:16 a.m. local time on the second floor of a four-story commercial building in the Gwaneum-dong district of Daegu. At the time of the collapse, a promotional vendor was hosting a sales event selling kitchenware and household goods geared toward local senior citizens.

Eyewitnesses and news footage reported that large slabs of plaster and ceiling finishing materials suddenly detached and crashed down onto the crowd in a matter of seconds.

The loud crash and falling debris sent attendees rushing toward the exits. A total of 66 people were inside the hall during the event and managed to evacuate the premises.

First responders, including 60 firefighters and 14 emergency vehicles, arrived promptly at the scene to secure the area, search through the rubble, and manage surrounding traffic.

Emergency medical teams confirmed that 38 individuals sustained light injuries, including bruises, cuts, abrasions, and dizziness among the elderly victims. Out of the 66 people successfully evacuated from the building, a total of 38 were injured, with nine transported to nearby medical facilities for further treatment.

Fortunately, health authorities confirmed that none of the victims sustained life-threatening injuries. South Korean officials immediately opened a response effort. President Lee Jae Myung was briefed on the emergency by the acting police chief and instructed relevant agencies to deploy all available resources to assist the victims and secure the site.

Local authorities and forensic teams have launched a full investigation into the structural integrity of the building and the specific cause behind the sudden ceiling collapse.

In the wake of the incident, community advocates and municipal safety regulators have raised broader concerns regarding safety standards and building inspections at venues hosting temporary commercial events. As public scrutiny grows over commercial facility safety, city officials pledged to conduct comprehensive safety audits across similar multi-story commercial spaces to prevent future structural failures and protect vulnerable residents.