Accidental Gas Gun Discharge at Incheon Cultural Center; 6 Women Taken to Hospital

A self-defense gas gun was discharged inside the Cheongna Complex Cultural Center building in Cheongna-dong, Seohae-gu, Incheon, at around 9:07 a.m. on October 22.

Six women in their 40s to 60s complained of pain around their eyes and were taken to a hospital by 119 emergency crews for treatment. Fire authorities dispatched 79 firefighters and 24 pieces of equipment to the scene and took safety measures, including neutralization work.

Paramedics are providing emergency treatment to victims of a gas gun attack. Photo provided by the Incheon Fire Headquarters.

According to a police investigation, the accident occurred after a man in his 80s, A, who uses the cultural center's swimming pool, handed the gas gun to his acquaintance, a man in his 70s, B, and it was accidentally discharged. Investigators found that A had owned the pistol-shaped gas gun for a long time before giving it to B, saying, "I'm too old to need it anymore."

Police plan to investigate whether the gas gun was properly licensed and, if they confirm any violations, to book A or B on suspicion of violating the Act on the Safety Management of Guns, Swords, Explosives, etc.

A police official said, "We believe the gas gun was discharged due to an operational error," adding, "It does not appear to have been aimed at anyone, so we plan to question A and B through voluntary accompaniment."

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