Two Dead, Two Injured in Gyeongju Zinc Plant Suffocation Incident

Fatal Accident Strikes Gyeongju Industrial Complex

Gyeongju, South Korea – A devastating accident occurred on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at a zinc processing plant located within the Duryu Industrial Complex in Angang-eup, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. The incident, which took place around 11:31 a.m., led to the deaths of two workers and left two others in critical condition after they collapsed from suspected suffocation in an underground water tank.

Details of the Incident and Suspected Cause

According to initial reports, the workers were engaged in pump and pipe maintenance inside the confined underground water tank when the tragedy unfolded. Police believe that one worker may have initially lost consciousness, prompting the others to enter the tank in an attempt to rescue their colleague. All four workers subsequently succumbed to the hazardous conditions within the tank.

Emergency services transported the four individuals to a hospital, where two were pronounced dead, and the remaining two are currently in serious condition. Investigators detected carbon monoxide (CO) inside the tank, a colorless and odorless gas known to cause severe oxygen deprivation and death at high concentrations. While carbon monoxide exposure is considered a strong potential cause, police have not yet definitively concluded it as the direct cause of death.

Investigation Underway by Authorities

The Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency has launched an investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause and circumstances surrounding the deaths and injuries. The Daegu branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor has also joined the inquiry, focusing on whether proper safety protocols and regulations were adhered to at the workplace.

Persistent Workplace Safety Concerns

This tragic event highlights the ongoing challenges with confined-space asphyxiation accidents in South Korean workplaces. Such incidents, often caused by oxygen deficiency or exposure to harmful gases like carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide, remain a persistent problem. Data indicates that these types of accidents have a high fatality rate.

Experts from the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute consistently emphasize the critical importance of safety measures. These include:

• Mandatory measurement of oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon monoxide levels before workers enter confined spaces.
• Strict adherence to using protective breathing equipment, such as air supply masks, during such operations.
• Providing comprehensive safety training on confined space entry, emergency evacuation procedures, and recognizing symptoms of asphyxiation.
• Ensuring the presence of a dedicated monitor or supervisor outside the confined space during work.