The Ministry of Employment and Labor is conducting a search and seizure related to the death of two workers in the 'manhole suffocation accident' in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, on the 1st, targeting the Southern Waterworks Office and others.
The Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office announced that it is conducting a search and seizure operation involving 21 labor inspectors at the Southern Waterworks Office, subcontractor headquarters, and field offices.
The labor office plans to secure materials related to construction contracts and payment, as well as computers and the mobile phones of relevant personnel, to investigate the cause of the suffocation accident and whether health regulations were followed during work in the enclosed space of the manhole. The ministry noted, "Based on the evidence secured through this search and seizure, we will conduct a thorough and swift investigation into any violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act."
Earlier, around 12:39 p.m. on July 27, a 70-year-old plumber, identified as Mr. A, suffocated and collapsed inside a manhole while working on a water leak repair site in Gasan-dong, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul. A 70-year-old excavator operator, identified as Mr. B, lost consciousness while trying to rescue him. Both individuals were transported to the hospital in cardiac arrest and received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Mr. A died the day after the accident, and Mr. B also passed away on the 5th of last month.