Chlorine gas leak at electroplating factory in Incheon's Namdong Industrial Complex; five suffer breathing difficulties, one taken to hospital

[Financial News] On the night of the 11th, gas believed to be chlorine, a toxic substance, leaked at an electroplating factory in Incheon's Namdong National Industrial Complex (Namdong Industrial Complex). Five workers reported difficulty breathing, and one was taken to hospital.
According to the Incheon Fire Headquarters and other authorities, the 119 emergency line received a report of a suspected toxic gas leak at a factory in Gojan-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, at about 8:15 p.m. that evening.
Five workers at the scene inhaled the gas and experienced breathing difficulties. One of them, a man in his 30s identified as A, was taken by paramedics to a nearby hospital. He was classified as having minor injuries, and so far there is no concern about the gas spreading outside the area or about further casualties.
Fire authorities believe chlorine gas was produced by a chemical reaction after the factory mistakenly put glucose into a hypochlorous acid tank while injecting microorganisms used in wastewater treatment.
After receiving the report, fire authorities quickly dispatched 54 personnel and 17 pieces of equipment, including pump trucks, and completed safety measures at the scene. Several factories are clustered on the site where the incident occurred.
Namdong-gu, the local government with jurisdiction over the area, sent a safety alert by text message at about 8:41 p.m., shortly after the incident, saying, “Nearby residents should cover their noses and mouths with wet towels or similar items and evacuate in advance,” and urging, “Vulnerable people, including children and older adults, should travel with family members or acquaintances they can ask for help and take care to stay safe.”
Police and fire authorities are working to pinpoint the gas leak while investigating the circumstances of the incident and chemical management practices by questioning factory personnel.
[email protected] Park Ji-hyeon Reporter