Three Manhole Workers Die from Toxic Gas Asphyxiation in Busan

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jong-gil] Three ethnic Korean-Chinese workers suffocated and died due to toxic gas while working at a sewer construction site in Hadan-dong, Saha-gu, Busan. According to the Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters on the 9th, Lee (59), Song (62), and Yeom (52) suffocated in a manhole at the construction site around 3:20 PM that day. The 119 rescue team arrived and rescued them in cardiac arrest after about 40 minutes. They were taken to the hospital and received cardiopulmonary resuscitation but all died. Toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide were detected in the manhole where the accident occurred. The Fire Headquarters stated that all those who suffocated were ethnic Korean-Chinese. The sewer construction was commissioned by Busan City and carried out by Company O. The police reported that one worker entered the manhole and did not come out, and the other two workers entered to check and were caught in the accident. The police plan to investigate the exact cause of the accident while checking for negligence with the construction company and others.