Up to 6 faint from gas inhalation at POSCO's Pohang Steelworks

POSCO's steel mill in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province / Korea Times file

Up to six people fainted after inhaling what appeared to be toxic gas at POSCO's Pohang Steelworks on Thursday, officials said.

The accident occurred around 1:30 p.m. at the steelworks in Pohang, 262 kilometers southeast of Seoul, while two contracted cleaners and a POSCO employee were removing sludge outside a plant, they said.

Firefighters and police said the three were found in cardiac arrest after inhaling the gas. They were taken to nearby hospitals and remain unconscious, with some requiring respiratory support.

Three POSCO in-house firefighters were also exposed to the gas while attempting to rescue the victims, but their conditions were not life-threatening, officials added.

Authorities cited carbon monoxide poisoning as a possible cause.

Police said it could take time to determine the full circumstances of the incident, as only a limited number of personnel equipped with protective gear can access the site due to lingering gas.

"It's taking time to determine the exact outline of the accident and extent of damage," a police official said, adding that investigators would also look into whether safety protocols were properly followed.

The accident comes only two weeks after one worker was killed and three others suffered burns after becoming exposed to chemical substances from damaged pipes at the steelworks.