Burn Victim Dies During Treatment After Gwangyang Chemical Plant Accident... Police Launch Investigation

Investigation into Compliance with Safety Regulations and Possible Violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act

An employee who had been receiving treatment for severe burns sustained from a high-temperature condensate leak at a chemical manufacturing plant in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, has died nearly a month after the accident. Following the worker's death, police and labor authorities have begun a full-scale investigation into whether safety regulations were followed by plant officials, as well as potential violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.

According to the South Jeolla Provincial Police Agency and labor authorities on June 10, at approximately 4:51 p.m. on May 14, a worker identified as Mr. A suffered burns from high-temperature condensate while working inside a refining facility at a chemical manufacturing plant in Taein-dong, Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, and was urgently transported to a hospital.

At the time, the process involved using steam to remove foreign substances from the inside of chemical equipment. Investigations revealed that while workers were dismantling a flange (a pipe joint component), a pipe valve suddenly opened, causing the high-temperature condensate accumulated inside to gush out.

As a result of this accident, two workers suffered second-degree burns over their entire bodies and were transferred to intensive care units for treatment, while another worker sustained minor facial burns. However, Mr. A, who sustained severe full-body burns and was receiving intensive care at the hospital, recently saw his condition worsen and ultimately passed away.

The worker's death has accelerated the police investigation. The police are conducting a detailed examination of the accident site to determine whether the plant complied with safety regulations. In addition, they are officially investigating whether the plant violated the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, reviewing factors such as the number of regular employees and other conditions.

A police official stated, "As the worker's death makes this a very serious incident, we are summoning plant officials for questioning to determine the precise circumstances of the accident. If specific negligence in safety management is revealed, those responsible will be charged with occupational negligence resulting in death and will face legal action."

Meanwhile, labor authorities are also reviewing whether to issue a work suspension order for the plant and are thoroughly investigating any violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. It has been confirmed that, as of now, no plant officials have been criminally charged.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.