Facial Injury from High-Pressure Water Gun... 'Nightmare at Ansan Water Festival' Ends in Prosecution

[Financial News] Police have referred the organizers and event company officials to the prosecution in connection with last summer’s 'high-pressure water gun injury incident' at the Ansan-si water festival.
According to the Ansan Danwon Police Station on the 6th, two officials from the event company and two employees of the Ansan Foundation for Culture, a total of four people, have recently been sent to the Ansan Branch of Suwon District Prosecutors' Office with a recommendation for indictment on charges of occupational negligence resulting in injury.
The incident occurred on August 15 last year during the 'Ansan Summer Festa 2025 Water Festival Yeoreumio,' which was hosted by the Ansan Foundation for Culture at Ansan Cultural Plaza and along Gwangdeok-daero.
A university student, referred to as A, who was performing a song, suffered serious injuries including facial and hand lacerations after being hit by a jet of water from a high-pressure water gun operated by a fellow performer, B.
The water gun was placed on stage during the performance, and the accident occurred when B aimed it toward the audience and discharged it.
The injured student's family filed a complaint, stating, 'Neither the city nor the foundation is taking responsibility,' and added, 'We will clarify how the accident happened and who is responsible through a police investigation.'
In their complaint, they asserted, 'No reputable company would use such a water gun for stage performances,' and pointed out, 'The performers had never seen the water gun before the event and were not instructed on how to use it,' criticizing the event organizers for inadequate safety management.
After investigating the suitability of the equipment and the operation of safety systems, police concluded that both the event company and the Ansan Foundation for Culture, as the organizers, were at fault.
On the other hand, B, who operated the water gun, was not indicted as it was deemed difficult to foresee the danger due to the sudden equipment change at the scene. Similarly, Ansan-si officials were not prosecuted since they were not directly involved in organizing the event.
hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter