Big Tech's Tornado Response Worse Than Candle Factory's... Amazon Investigation Launched

Fatalities Comparable to Candle Factory Occur at Big Tech Company
US Labor Department Launches Investigation
Legal Sanctions Possible if Found to Be Man-Made
Criticism Grows Amid Bezos' Belated Condolences

Truck and building debris remain at the Amazon warehouse in Illinois where six people died.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), under the U.S. Department of Labor, has launched an investigation into the deaths of six Amazon employees caused by a tornado. Following last year's controversy over worker exploitation during the COVID-19 pandemic, Amazon is expected to face significant repercussions if found responsible in this incident as well.

Amazon is also facing unfavorable public opinion as Jeff Bezos, the company's founder, has been heavily criticized for focusing on promoting his space travel ventures instead of mourning the victims.

According to U.S. media on the 13th (local time), OSHA announced it has begun investigating the collapse of an Amazon warehouse located in Edwardsville, Illinois.

Although over 100 people died across six states including Kentucky due to the tornado on the 10th, the investigation into Amazon was initiated because this incident may be a man-made disaster.

There were six fatalities at the Amazon facility, the largest e-commerce company in the U.S. While fewer than the deaths caused by the candle factory collapse in Kentucky, criticism is growing over the significant loss of life at a giant big tech company comparable to that of a small business.

The tornado that occurred near the Amazon warehouse

According to CNBC, the Amazon warehouse manager instructed employees to evacuate around 8:16 p.m., but the tornado struck so suddenly that it is possible a large-scale loss of life could not be avoided.

Amazon claimed that the tornado formed in the warehouse parking lot and then directly hit the warehouse.

Scott Allen, an OSHA spokesperson, explained, "The investigation will be completed within six months, and if violations of workplace safety or health regulations are found, legal action may be taken."

Kelly Nantell, an Amazon spokesperson, said, "We are deeply saddened by the deaths of Amazon employees due to the tornado. We will cooperate sincerely with OSHA's investigation."

U.S. media are focusing on the possibility that the significant damage at Amazon was due to human error. Among the victims, the youngest employee, aged 26, died despite being in the shelter as instructed by the company.

At the Mayfield candle factory in Kentucky, where 110 people were working, 94 survived, resulting in fewer casualties than initially feared. Eight people died and eight went missing, but survivors saved their lives by evacuating to tornado shelters. While the candle factory completely collapsed, about half of the Amazon warehouse collapsed yet caused a large number of casualties.

About half of the Amazon warehouse was damaged by collapse.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Bezos's delayed condolence added fuel to the fire. Bezos was criticized for only mourning the victims a full day after the billionaire space travel program led by his company Blue Origin had ended.

On the fourth day after the tornado disaster, at least 64 people have been reported dead in Kentucky alone.

Although the number is somewhat lower than initially feared, it is expected to take considerable time to determine the exact extent of the damage.

The candle factory in Kentucky was completely destroyed by the tornado, but there were fewer casualties than expected.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said at a briefing, "It may take weeks to ascertain the number of deaths and the scale of the damage."

Governor Beshear stated that at least 105 people are still unaccounted for and said, "There is no doubt the death toll will increase."

He predicted that as recovery efforts continue, the death toll in Kentucky alone could reach at least 70 to 80 people.

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