"Thought It Was Thunder, Woke Up Shocked" Mysterious Explosion in Seosan... 3 Injured

Police Investigate Possible Connection to 60s Woman's Extreme Choice After Injury

On the 10th, an unexplained explosion occurred at a commercial building in Eupnae-dong, Seosan-si, Chungnam, injuring three people who are currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

According to the police and fire authorities, the explosion happened around 4:18 a.m. at a commercial building in Eupnae-dong, Seosan-si. A woman in her 60s, Ms. A, who lived on the first floor of the building, sustained second-degree burns over her entire body and is in critical condition. Two pedestrians near the building also complained of lower back pain and are undergoing treatment.

Debris from the accident is spread out in a commercial building in Eupnae-dong, Seosan-si, Chungnam, where an explosion occurred, on the morning of the 10th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The police, investigating the cause, completed the first on-site inspection in the afternoon together with the National Forensic Service and the Gas Safety Corporation. Based on testimonies from residents that Ms. A, who lived alone in a rented room in the building, had previously attempted extreme measures several times, the police are also investigating the possibility that the explosion is related to Ms. A. Gas stoves and gas hoses were collected from Ms. A’s living space and sent to the National Forensic Service for analysis.

Despite the early morning timing of the incident, nearby residents who heard the explosion shared the situation on online communities. Residents said, "I thought it was thunder," "The sound was really loud," and "I woke up startled. It was scary."

The city is reviewing citizen safety insurance and support measures for small business owners related to this incident, while also planning to support the disposal of construction waste for rapid site recovery. At a meeting held that day, Lee Wan-seop, mayor of Seosan-si, urged, "Please establish an organic cooperation system with the fire station, police station, and related organizations, and devote all efforts to swift damage recovery and preparation of countermeasures."