3 die in gas leak at SK hynix plant

SK hynix plant in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province

By Lee Kyung-min

Three workers died after inhaling toxic gas at an SK hynix plant in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday.

The workers collapsed around noon while working near an exhaust air duct on the roof of an eight-story building inside the plant.

Co-workers made emergency calls after seeing them collapse, according to the company. They were taken to nearby hospitals where they were pronounced dead, police said.

“We believe the victims died after inhaling nitrogen gas,” a company official said. “We offer our deepest condolences to the victims’ families and the public.”

Police said they had launched an investigation to find the cause of the incident.

The plant, which is under construction, will be SK hynix’s 14th in the country.

Four others who were working at the site suffered minor headaches, police said.

The ventilation system in the duct was turned on at 9:00 a.m. for inspection, according to company officials.

The three went into the duct and passed out soon after.

The victims reportedly said they had headaches and difficulty breathing while being taken to hospital.

Police said the three worked although the toxic gas remained in the duct.

“They were likely killed either by nitrogen or liquefied natural gas (LNG); we will investigate more to find the direct cause,” a police officer said.

Police said they would question company officials to detect any safety lapses, and book those found to be negligent on charges of involuntary manslaughter.

SK hynix plant has a history of gas leaks that have endangered workers on and near the site.

On March 18, 13 workers were taken to hospital after suffering from a similar accident when zirconium oxide, widely used as insulation material, was leaked at a nearby institute.

The 13 workers are reportedly healthy and back at work, according to the company.

Last July, two workers were hospitalized after inhaling silicon oxide gas that leaked from the DRAM semi-conductor plant.