'3 Dead' Incheon Namdong Industrial Complex Chemical Explosion... Company CEO Violating Safety Rules Arrested

Stored Excess Quantity of Sodium Chlorite in Unauthorized Warehouse
Three Including Representative of Chemical Mixing Machine Supplier Released Without Detention

On November 19 last year, an explosion occurred at a household health products manufacturing factory in Namdong Industrial Complex, Incheon, resulting in 3 workers dead and 3 injured.
[Photo by Incheon Fire Headquarters]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] The representative of a company that stored chemical substances in an unauthorized warehouse exceeding the designated quantity has been arrested in connection with the explosion accident at a factory in Namdong Industrial Complex, Incheon, which resulted in six casualties last November.

On the 16th, the Metropolitan Investigation Unit of the Incheon Police Agency announced that, through a joint investigation with related agencies including the Central Regional Employment and Labor Office, Fire Department, and Ministry of Environment, they arrested A, the representative of a health and household goods manufacturing company in Namdong Industrial Complex, on charges of professional negligence causing death and injury, and violation of the Industrial Safety and Health Act. Additionally, three others including B, the representative of the chemical mixing machine supplier, were booked without detention.

A and B are accused of causing the deaths of three workers and injuring three others in an explosion accident that occurred at around 4:12 p.m. on November 19 last year at a health and household goods manufacturing factory in Gojan-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon.

Investigations revealed that A violated safety regulations by storing more than the designated quantity of sodium chlorite, a first-class hazardous material with explosion and fire risks, in an unauthorized warehouse within the factory.

According to relevant laws, the designated quantity of sodium chlorite that can be stored or handled at one time is 50 kg, but A was found to have stored as much as 240 kg, which is 4.8 times the limit.

B is accused of neglecting safety management and supervision by sending employees to A’s company to repair the chemical mixing machine called a 'gyobangi' (agitator).

The other two individuals booked without detention are co-representatives of the chemical supply company who were caught selling unauthorized hazardous chemicals to A’s company.

Police investigations revealed that the explosion and fire occurred when a combustion reaction took place inside the agitator while mixing powdered chemical substances such as sodium chlorite and agar (Umutgasari).

Among the three deceased, two were external repair workers who were fixing the agitator, excluding the employees of A’s company. They were called to the household goods manufacturing factory after being informed of the agitator malfunction and were caught in the accident.

The police have notified related agencies of institutional improvement measures regarding inappropriate handling cases of hazardous materials and harmful chemicals confirmed through this investigation.

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