Gumi hit by 2nd wave of chemical leaks

A vineyard near a chemical plant in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, where a leak of hydrochloric acid fumes occurred following an explosion on Sept. 27, is seen devastated, Thursday. The toxic emissions have wreaked havoc on crops and livestock in adjacent villages. / Yonhap

A leak of hydrochloric acid fumes that occurred at a chemical factory in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, last week is wreaking havoc on crops and livestock farms in adjacent villages.

The toxic material is having a corrosive effect on human tissue as well. Local health authorities said some 600 people, including rescue and factory workers, and villagers have received treatment for damage to respiratory organs, skin, eyes and intestines.

Aerial photos taken by helicopters showed ruined rice paddies, vineyards and farm land near the factory. Villagers said plants exposed to fumes have dried up and they are even causing corrosion of vehicles and buildings.

“After the accident, crops withered fast even though the weather was good. Now all the paddies and farmland surrounding the plant have been devastated,” said Lee So-boon, a 76-year-old farmer.

Residents are now venting their anger on Gumi City and Hube Global, a small chemical firm which owns the factory, over lack of precautionary measures to prevent such a disaster.

Five workers were killed and 16 others injured in an explosion that occurred at 3:45 p.m. on Sept. 27 while several workers were attempting to unload hydrochloric acid from a tanker in the compound of the chemical plant. The exact cause of the blast is still being investigated.

Hydrochloric acid is a transparent, highly corrosive liquid that is mainly used in industries to remove rust. Hube Global has been producing the material in the Gumi plant since 2006.

Villagers have complained of eye irritation and headaches. They said dogs, pigs and cows have refused to eat and shown symptoms of nausea.

Gumi City said it has set up a task force to deal with toxic emissions. A group of councilors in the city issued a statement on Thursday to call for immediate evacuation of all residents surrounding the factory and a thorough inspection.

“We are conducting on-site inspections to take countermeasures,” a city spokesman said. “The city is also discussing with the firm to compensate victims.” <The Korea Times/Na Jeong-ju>

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