KOR
▲ A capture from an external CCTV camera showing the moment of the explosion at the cleaning room in Building 56 of the Hanwha Aerospace Daejeon plant, which occurred on the morning of July 1.
Police investigating the cause of the explosion at Hanwha Aerospace, which resulted in seven casualties including five deaths, believe the initial blast originated from a cleaning machine and are investigating the exact circumstances.
The Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency's regional crime investigation unit met with reporters today (July 2) and stated that they have secured testimony from the person in charge of the cleaning process, who confirmed that workers were cleaning a tank inside the machine at the time of the explosion.
Building 56, where the accident occurred, is a facility used for dismantling and cleaning pipes, valves, and equipment. It was found that workers had been cleaning the equipment using spatula-like tools or performing additional cleaning tasks with high-pressure machinery.
Police believe the explosion began in a rectangular metal tank inside the cleaning machine.
While external contractors are responsible for cleaning the pipes, it was confirmed that the cleaning of the interior of the washing machines was carried out directly by Hanwha Aerospace employees.
Police have sent 17 items collected from the accident site, including tools, to the National Forensic Service for analysis.
Currently, the police have booked Ga Jae-woong, head of the Daejeon plant, on charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injury.
Separately, the Ministry of Employment and Labor has booked the plant head, Ga, for violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and CEO Son Jae-woong for violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.
(Photo: Provided by the office of Rep. Park Jeong-hyun of the Democratic Party of Korea, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.
