An autopsy has revealed that the elementary school brothers who died at a privately operated water facility in Gokseong, Jeollanam-do, which was preparing to open, died from drowning following electrocution.

According to the Gokseong Police Station on June 23, police received a preliminary verbal report from the National Forensic Service stating that the cause of death for the brothers was drowning.

While the direct cause of death was drowning, the National Forensic Service determined that the brothers lost consciousness due to electric shock before falling into the water and drowning.

A joint inspection conducted at the accident site on June 22 also confirmed that electrical current was flowing through the water facility where the brothers were found collapsed.

Police believe that the current leaked into the water after a portion of the wiring for lighting fixtures installed near the facility came into contact with or was submerged in the water.

Regarding how the brothers entered the facility, which was closed to the public before its official opening, police determined that they had entered with the help of a relative living nearby.

Police emphasized that although the facility had been filled with water and the fountain was in operation, it had not yet officially opened to the public.

Police also investigated allegations raised on social media that the business was operating without authorization, but concluded that these claims were unfounded.

An analysis of CCTV footage from the day of the accident showed that no one other than the brothers' family had used the facility.

Police believe that a part-time worker at the facility, having seen the fountain being tested, mistakenly informed some visitors that the facility was open for business.

Police are currently investigating whether the business failed to properly manage the facility and safety protocols, though no individuals have been booked yet.

However, as the water facility is operated by a private entity commissioned by Gokseong-gun, police are summoning county officials as witnesses to investigate the status of the contract and operations.

The accident occurred on June 21 when the brothers, aged 10 and 9, from Boseong, Jeollanam-do, visited the facility with their mother before it had opened.

The brothers lost consciousness and collapsed shortly after entering the water. They were transported to a hospital by fire authorities following a report from their mother, but both were pronounced dead.

(Photo: Yonhap News)