Petrochemical factory explosion in Yeosu kills six

A major explosion occurred at a petrochemical factory inside the Yeocheon Industrial Complex in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province on August 24, killing six people and seriously injuring 17 others.

The killed and wounded are employees of Hosung Chemex`s methyl ethyl keton-peroxid (MEK-PO) manufacturing plant, and were working inside the factory at the time of the explosion. The injured were sent to the Yeosu Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment. The entire three-floor steel-framed factory collapsed in the incident.

The explosion also caused roofs to cave in and shattered hundreds of windows at three nearby factories, including Kumho P&B Factory No. 1 and the Kumho-Monsanto Factory, which lies about 200 meters away. The operation of the combined thermal power plant at the nearby LG Chemicals Factory No. 2 was suspended. The police estimated that the explosion caused some 540 million won worth of damage.

The factory had been temporarily closed since August 18 to replace old equipment. Some 30 employees were working inside to finish up on repairs and test-operate the facilities.

The police tentatively ruled that the temperature control facility in the factory did not function properly, causing the highly volatile MEK-PO to explode. However, it said it will continue to investigate the real cause of the accident.

Police and firefighters are conducting rescue operations, as they believe some other employees might be trapped under the debris. The factory, which produces paint, petrochemical additives and cooking-oil extractions, employs 72 workers.