Protective barrels reinstalled at Incheon Bridge amid increase in suicide attempts

The operators of the Incheon Bridge said Tuesday they have reinstalled 600 parking-prevention barrels along the sides of the bridge, just two months after removing them, amid a rise in suicide attempts from the structure.

The newly installed barrels stretch 1.5 kilometers in both directions from the bridge’s central tower.

A total of 1,500 barrels were first placed in 2022 in hopes of deterring people from jumping. However, they were removed in August to restore emergency lanes for vehicles requiring immediate stops.

Since their removal, three people have died after jumping, and one remains missing, fueling calls to bring the barrels back as a protective measure.

“In cooperation with related agencies, we decided to reinstall the barrels as a temporary measure,” the Incheon Bridge operator said. “We are sending patrol cars every ten minutes to stay at the main tower area during high-risk time periods.”

As a long-term safety solution, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said it will secure funds to build protective railings by 2026.

The plan calls for 2.5-meter-high railings extending 7 to 8 kilometers on either side of the main tower, at an estimated cost of about 8 billion won ($5.4 million).

Since the bridge opened in 2009, 90 people have jumped from it — 67 have died and 14 remain missing.

Sourcehttps://m.koreaherald.com/article/

Comprehension

Why were the parking-prevention barrels originally installed on the Incheon Bridge in 2022?
Why were the barrels removed in August?
What happened after the barrels were removed?
How many barrels were reinstalled, and over what distance?
What measures are patrol cars taking to increase safety?
What long-term safety solution has the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport proposed?
How high will the planned protective railings be?
Since the bridge opened in 2009, how many people have jumped from it?

Discussion

Why do you think physical barriers like barrels and railings can help prevent tragedies?
What other safety measures could be added to bridges to reduce suicide attempts?
How important is mental health support in preventing such incidents?
Should governments spend money on safety infrastructure even if it is expensive? Why or why not?
How can communities raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention?
Do you think having patrol cars is an effective solution? Why or why not?
What are some signs that someone might need emotional or psychological help?
How can friends or family members support someone in crisis?
Why is it important to respond quickly when a dangerous pattern appears, like increased jump attempts?
What role do public spaces and infrastructure design play in community safety?

Vocabulary

Reinstall – To put something back in place after removing it.
Prevention – The act of stopping something harmful from happening.
Deterrence – Something that discourages people from doing a certain action.
Patrol – To regularly move around an area to keep it safe.
High-risk – More likely to involve danger.
Infrastructure – Basic physical structures like roads, bridges, and buildings.
Railing – A barrier or fence used for safety.
Estimated – Predicted or calculated, but not exact.