Three Thai Nationals Dead in Haenam Fire Were Illegal Immigrants Employed at Kim Factory

Joint Investigation on the 26th
Fire Started in Small Room of Accommodation, Deceased Found in Large Room and Bathroom

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] It has been confirmed that the three deceased in the fire at a foreign workers' dormitory in Haenam, Jeonnam, which occurred on Lunar New Year's Day, were illegal Thai nationals.

The police, the National Forensic Service, and the fire authorities conducted an investigation at the fire site for two and a half hours starting from 11 a.m. on the 26th. Based on the identification cards secured at the scene the previous day and statements from related parties, the police confirmed that they were illegal Thai nationals employed at a seaweed processing factory in Haenam.

The on-site investigation revealed no flammable materials inside or outside the building, and it is presumed that the fire started in a small room within the house.

Although questions were raised as to why the young workers could not easily escape despite the fire occurring in a simply structured house during daylight, no signs of arson have been found so far.

Earlier, at 3:37 p.m. on the 25th, a fire broke out in a house used as a dormitory for foreign workers in Hyeonsan-myeon, Haenam-gun, resulting in the deaths of three Thai nationals. They had arrived at the Haenam dormitory on the afternoon of the 21st through a broker and reportedly stayed in the dormitory without working on the 25th, Lunar New Year's Day.

The police plan to conduct autopsies on the deceased to determine the exact cause of death.