An accident occurred this morning (October 13) on the Gyeongbu Expressway heading toward Seoul in Duseo-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan, where ethylene glycol, a raw material for antifreeze being transported by a tank truck, leaked.

Authorities estimate that about 4,000 liters out of the 26,000 liters of ethylene glycol loaded on the vehicle leaked in the incident.

No casualties have been reported.

The substance reportedly leaked because the discharge valve of the tank truck, which departed from Onsan-eup, Ulju-gun and entered the expressway, was not properly secured.

Related agencies, including the police, fire authorities, local government, and Korea Expressway Corporation, are conducting joint containment operations at the scene.

With the tank truck parked on the shoulder, crews are using sand and absorbent pads to collect the leaked material and taking measures to prevent it from entering drainage systems.

Ethylene glycol is used as a raw material for antifreeze and can be harmful if swallowed, as well as causing skin and eye irritation.

(Photo: Capture from highway CCTV, Yonhap News)