Joint Investigation of Family Tragedy Explosion Accident in Donghae During Lunar New Year Holiday... Investigation of Negligent Homicide and Injury in the Line of Duty

9 Casualties Including a Family of 7

Owner of Multi-family House Operating Pension Business Illegally Without Registration

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Shim Nayoung] A joint on-site investigation by police and fire officials to determine the cause of the gas explosion accident at a multi-family house in Donghae-si, Gangwon Province began at 10:30 a.m. on the 26th at the accident site. The accident resulted in 9 casualties, including a family of 7.

The joint investigation team included police, the National Forensic Service, fire officials, Korea Gas Safety Corporation, and the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation. Police estimate that the accident occurred when LP gas leaked from the piping of an indoor kitchen gas water heater while a family of 7 was cooking crab using a butane gas burner in the multi-family house operating as an unregistered pension. Based on this, the joint investigation team closely examined the condition of the LP gas piping and the presence of any ignition materials at the accident site.

Statements from nearby merchants confirmed that after hearing one explosion sound at the time of the accident, they heard another loud "bang" explosion within 1 to 2 minutes, indicating two major explosions. The police formed a joint investigation team led by the provincial police bureau’s metropolitan investigation unit and Donghae Police Station, with the head of the provincial police bureau’s criminal division serving as the investigation team leader. The police are investigating the owner of the multi-family house, who illegally operated the pension business without formal registration, on charges of professional negligence causing death and injury.

The police also operate a victim protection team to provide psychological counseling and support for the bereaved families and the injured.

The multi-family house explosion accident, which caused 9 casualties including a family of 7, occurred at 7:46 p.m. on the Lunar New Year’s Day, the 25th. The accident resulted in the deaths of three sisters in their 50s to 70s from the family and the husband of one of them, totaling four fatalities. The remaining three family members suffered full-body burns and were transferred to a specialized burn treatment hospital for care. It is known that the victims were sisters, spouses, and cousins.

The other two minor injury victims were men in their 30s to 40s who were using the first-floor sashimi restaurant at the time of the accident and returned home after treatment.