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Date | 29 April 2020 |
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Location | Icheon, South Korea |
Cause | Unclear - flammable material ignited & caused explosions [1] |
Deaths | 39 |
Non-fatal injuries | 10 |
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]