(LEAD) Ceiling material collapses in Daegu building, injures 38

A ceiling material collapse at a building in Daegu on Saturday caused injuries to 38 people, including nine who were hospitalized, according to officials. The incident occurred at 10:16 a.m. during a senior citizens' kitchenware sales event on the second floor of a four-story structure in the southeastern part of the city. Sixty-six individuals evacuated the building, with all 38 injured sustaining minor wounds like abrasions.

Nine of the injured were transported to hospitals, but none were in critical condition. Firefighters deployed 60 personnel and utilized 14 pieces of equipment to search the area for additional casualties, yet none were discovered. President Lee Jae Myung was informed of the accident by the acting police chief, who instructed relevant agencies to assist any victims and manage the aftermath.

Authorities have pledged to investigate the cause of the collapse, and the Daegu Metropolitan Policy Agency has established a specialized task force with 33 personnel, including representatives from serious accidents, forensic science, and victim protection units. The team intends to conduct an on-site investigation on Monday, alongside the National Forensic Science and other relevant agencies, to examine potential structural flaws and determine if safety protocols were correctly followed.