On November 3, a chemical leak occurred at a semiconductor component manufacturing plant located in Wongok-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. According to data provided by the South Korean Fire Department and the Ministry of Climate and Environment, and reported by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondent in Seoul, approximately 500 liters of nitric acid spilled from containers. As a result of the incident, six people, including factory workers, sustained minor injuries and were taken to medical facilities.
Circumstances of the Accident
According to official information, the leak occurred at approximately 14:34 on the same day. Reports indicate that the accident was triggered by a forklift mishap inside the production facilities during cargo handling: depressurization occurred during movement, causing the nitric acid to spill. Law enforcement and security cordons were established at the scene to control access and ensure the safety of the surrounding areas.
Emergency Response and Clean-up Operations
To contain and mitigate the consequences of the accident, firefighters dispatched 16 pieces of equipment and 48 personnel to the site. The cleanup of contaminated surfaces using absorbent materials and safety measures were completed at approximately 18:57, more than four hours after the incident was reported. Such a prolonged duration reflects the complexity of handling a highly corrosive reagent within an active industrial facility.
Condition of the Victims
Six people, including factory employees, were hospitalized. The victims exhibited symptoms typical of nitric acid vapor exposure: coughing, foreign body sensation in the eyes, headaches, and dizziness. According to available data, the injuries are classified as minor, and no life-threatening conditions have been reported among the victims.
Resident Warnings and Safety Measures
At around 15:17, the Ansan city administration issued an emergency warning to the public. Residents living near the incident site were advised to close their windows, while drivers were urged to take detour routes to prevent congestion and collisions in the emergency services' operational zone. These measures aimed to minimize the risk of chemical vapor exposure to the surrounding population.
Dangers of Nitric Acid
Nitric acid is a highly corrosive chemical substance capable of causing severe bodily harm upon direct contact with the skin or inhalation of its vapors. Therefore, during such incidents, the priority is the rapid containment of the spill, the use of absorbent materials, and the restriction of unauthorized access until cleanup operations are fully completed.
