SOUTH KOREA – Explosion at Taean thermal power plant injures two workers

Two workers were injured after an explosion triggered a fire at a thermal power plant in southwestern South Korea in December. The incident occurred on 9 December at the Taean Thermal Power Plant in Taean, about 140 kilometres (87 miles) south of Seoul.

According to local fire authorities, the blaze broke out at approximately 14:43 local time. The power plant was evacuated as firefighters responded, and the fire was brought under control within a few hours.

Health officials reported that the two injured employees suffered second-degree burns to various parts of their bodies. Both received initial treatment at the scene before being transported to a nearby hospital, and they are expected to make a full recovery.

Initial findings indicate that the incident began with a suspected explosion on the first floor of the plant’s integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) facility. Local media reported that the fire then spread through the IGCC piping system to other areas of the site.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion.

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