Daejeon Hyundai Outlet Sets Up 'Joint Memorial Altar'... Some Victims to Be Laid to Rest on 28th

On the 27th, a joint memorial altar was set up in the north parking lot of Daejeon Hyundai Outlet to honor the victims. The joint memorial altar began operating from 2 p.m. that day and is open to citizens paying their respects. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] A joint memorial altar has been set up to honor the victims of the fire accident at Daejeon Hyundai Premium Outlet.

According to Daejeon City on the 27th, the city and Yuseong-gu, with the consent of the victims' families, installed a joint memorial altar at the north gate of Daejeon Hyundai Outlet and began receiving citizens' condolences from 2 p.m.

The operating hours and closing date of the joint memorial altar are currently being coordinated.

Among the seven victims, three are expected to be sent off on the 28th. The other four victims have no scheduled send-off date yet, and some families insist that determining the cause of the fire should come first, expressing a desire for a joint response among the bereaved families.

Currently, the victims' funeral halls have been set up at Daejeon Sun Hospital, Chungnam National University Hospital, and Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, respectively.

Meanwhile, on the morning of the same day, the police, National Forensic Service, Korea Electrical Safety Corporation, and fire authorities jointly conducted an on-site investigation (first phase).

The on-site investigation focused on the underground first floor loading dock, which is presumed to be the initial ignition point. CCTV footage from the site shows flames rising around the vehicle as a 1-ton cargo truck driver parked and unloaded cargo at the underground first floor loading dock, currently pointing to the loading dock as the initial ignition point.

However, no flammable materials were found during the on-site investigation around the loading dock, and since most of the parking lot interior was scorched by the fire, it is expected to be difficult to determine the exact cause of the fire.

During the on-site investigation, the 1-ton cargo truck in front of the loading dock was found reduced to a bare frame.