2020 Icheon fire

2020 Icheon fire
Date29 April 2020
LocationIcheon, South Korea
CauseUnclear - flammable material ignited & caused explosions[1]
Deaths39
Non-fatal injuries10

A major fire occurred on 29 April 2020 at a construction site in Icheon, South Korea, killing 39 people and injuring another 10.[2][3][4] Blood samples taken from 23 victims indicate most had died from carbon monoxide poisoning.[5] Autopsies have been completed on 15 of the 39 people killed, as recommended by South Korea authorities, but has angered victims' families.[5] All killed workers were irregular or subcontract workers.[6]

The building under construction has four floors above-ground and two more underground. The building did not have sprinklers or other obligatory safety measures.[6] The fire broke out when some 78 workers were in the sub-basement working on polyurethane foam.[7] The first explosion occurred around 13:30 (4:30 UTC).[1] At least 10 explosions were heard.[4]

Authorities launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and what safety regulations were violated.[6]

An earlier fire at a refrigerated warehouse in Icheon on 7 January 2008 had killed 40 workers.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "South Korea fire: Dozens killed in warehouse blaze in Icheon". BBC News. 29 April 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b "이천의 비극' 12년만에 또···40명 사망 때도 유독가스 덮쳤다". Joins.com. 29 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Construction Site Fire in South Korea Kills at Least 25: Yonhap". The New York Times. Reuters. 29 April 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^ a b "South Korea fire kills nearly 40 construction workers". The Guardian. 29 April 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  5. ^ a b "South Korea authorities recommend autopsy following Icheon fire". UPI. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  6. ^ a b c McGrath, Ben. "Devastating fire in South Korea kills at least 38 workers". wsws.org. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  7. ^ "38 workers killed in Icheon construction site fire". The Korea Herald. 29 April 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.