Daewon Industrial plant fire investigation: 3 dead

Police and labor authorities have launched a formal investigation into a fatal explosion and fire at the Daewon Industrial plant in Cheonan, South Korea. The incident, which occurred on August 28, resulted in the deaths of three workers and caused injuries to others, including a firefighter and an employee who sustained second-degree burns.

On September 3, approximately 40 officials from the Chungnam Provincial Police Agency and the Daejeon Regional Employment and Labor Office conducted a search and seizure operation at the company’s Cheonan headquarters and Seoul office. Investigators are analyzing digital data from computers and mobile phones to determine if the company violated the Occupational Safety and Health Act or the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.

Joint inspections suggest the fire likely originated on the ninth floor of a tallow refining tower while three workers were inspecting valves. One of the deceased was identified as a cafeteria worker in his 70s. Authorities are also investigating reports that the facility had experienced four other fires over the past four years, which may point to systemic failures in safety management.