The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Mon, August 8, 2022 | 09:49
Camera recording of Gumi chemical leak unveiled
Posted : 2012-10-10 19:23
Updated :  
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down

Surveillance camera footage shows a Hube Globe employee engulfed by fumes while he worked on a tanker containing hydrofluoric acid at the firm’s plant in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, on Sept. 27. / Yonhap

By Na Jeong-ju

A toxic chemical leak from a Hube Globe plant in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, on Sept. 27 was caused by a mistake made by workers, according to a surveillance camera recording released Wednesday.

The recording shows two Hube Globe workers working on a tanker to unload hydrofluoric acid just before the accident happened at 3:45 p.m. While attempting to connect a hose to the tanker, one of them slipped, and strong, high-pressured fumes came out, knocking the men over. White gases filled the plant for minutes.

The moments were filmed by a camera installed about five meters away from the scene on the wall of the plant. The workers were seen not wearing any safety gear, even helmets.

They were among five employees killed in the accident. Police said they were supposed to close valves before connecting a hose, but instead went ahead with the valves open in order to save time.

“The recording shows that the leak was caused by an inadvertent human error,” said Seo Un-sik, an officer from Gumi Police Station. “We are looking into whether the company neglected its duty.”

The recording was damaged by heat and fumes, but restored by researchers at the National Forensic Service.

The prosecution said it plans to indict three Hube Globe executives regarding the accident.

Hube Global is a small chemical firm which only has 10 employees. The plant is located inside the Gumi Industrial Complex, which was originally planned for technology companies. The firm is known to have acquired the plant from a tech firm in 2006.

Gumi City is also being investigated for changing rules to attract the chemical firm to the tech cluster, officers said.

The government designated the affected area as a special disaster zone on Monday because damage from the leak had been growing.

Over 3,000 people are known to be suffering from rashes, headaches and respiratory diseases. Crops and fruit on more than 200 hectares of farmlands have withered, and some 3,200 livestock animals have shown symptoms of nausea, according to Gumi City.
Emailjj@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
  • Citizens excited about refurbished Gwanghwamun Square
  • [INTERVIEW] 'Taiwan is part of China,' says Chinese ambassador
  • DSME hit with $970-million lawsuit from Japanese oil company
  • The fate of Sontag Hotel
  • Hyundai aims to develop own automotive semiconductors
  • Gov't considers slashing tariffs on imported produce ahead of Chuseok
  • KAI, Hanwha, SK, Hyundai Rotem contribute to Danuri project
  • Woori Bank to invest $7.7 million in 10 promising startups
  • 'Gov't should help manufacturers digitize fast to overcome global supply chain risks'
  • Envoy wary of creating Asian version of NATO
  • Interactive News
  • With tough love,
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
    • Brad Pitt to visit Korea to promote new film 'Bullet Train' Brad Pitt to visit Korea to promote new film 'Bullet Train'
    • [INTERVIEW] Jung Woo-sung was initially hesitant to take on role in 'Hunt' [INTERVIEW] Jung Woo-sung was initially hesitant to take on role in 'Hunt'
    • Hallyu research should be conducted beyond Korean perspective: scholars Hallyu research should be conducted beyond Korean perspective: scholars
    • 'The Red Sleeve' director debuts new thriller 'The Red Sleeve' director debuts new thriller
    • OTT platforms struggle amid declining number of users OTT platforms struggle amid declining number of users
    DARKROOM
    • Ice is melting, land is burning

      Ice is melting, land is burning

    • Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

      Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

    • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

      Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

      Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

      Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    The Korea Times
    CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
    Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
    Tel : 02-724-2114
    Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
    Date of registration : 2020.02.05
    Masthead : The Korea Times
    Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
    • About Us
    • Introduction
    • History
    • Location
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Products & Service
    • Subscribe
    • E-paper
    • Mobile Service
    • RSS Service
    • Content Sales
    • Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
    • 고충처리인
    • Youth Protection Policy
    • Code of Ethics
    • Copyright Policy
    • Family Site
    • Hankook Ilbo
    • Dongwha Group