Rescue Delayed by Narrow Entrance
Firefighters Lay Tank on Side to Save Three Workers
Hazardous Gas Levels Exceeded
Police and Labor Authorities Investigate Safety Compliance
At a ready-mixed concrete factory in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, three employees cleaning the inside of a tank suffered an accident suspected to be caused by oxygen deficiency and gas poisoning. Two of them died, and one is in critical condition.
On the afternoon of the 21st, a suffocation accident occurred involving workers cleaning a small tank at a ready-mixed concrete factory in Suncheon General Industrial Complex, Seomyeon, Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do. The 119 emergency medical team was dispatched. Photo by Yonhap News
At around 1:29 p.m. on the 21st, a report was made to emergency services that three people had collapsed inside a ground-level small tank at Factory A in Suncheon General Industrial Complex, Seomyeon, Suncheon City. Fire authorities found the workers unconscious at 1:39 p.m., but faced difficulties with the rescue due to the narrow entrance of the cylindrical tank. The authorities laid the tank on its side and rescued all three individuals by 3:16 p.m., transporting them to the hospital.
During this process, Mr. Kim (age 60) was in critical condition and is currently receiving treatment, while the other two (ages 57 and 53) were found in cardiac arrest and ultimately passed away. Initially reported as employees of an external contractor, they were later confirmed to be employees of the company during the rescue operation.
On the afternoon of the 21st, workers cleaning a small tank at a ready-mixed concrete plant in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, fell unconscious. The police forensic investigation unit is conducting an on-site investigation. Photo by Yonhap News
It was reported that the accident occurred when one worker did not exit the tank after cleaning, prompting the other two to enter one after another, resulting in all three being affected. An on-site air quality measurement showed the carbon dioxide concentration was 3,400 ppm, about ten times the normal range (250-400 ppm), and the hydrogen sulfide concentration was 58 ppm, exceeding the standard (below 10 ppm).
The tank involved in the accident is a facility for storing chemical additives used in concrete mixing. The police and labor authorities are investigating the exact circumstances, including whether safety regulations under the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act were followed.
Following the death of a worker in his 60s at a metal structure factory in Byeollyang-myeon the previous day, Suncheon City has launched a comprehensive inspection of safety management practices at all workplaces in the area after two consecutive days of industrial accidents.
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