At about 10:17 a.m. on the 27th, a gas explosion occurred inside a charcoal kiln jjimjilbang located in Jangheung-myeon, Yangju, Gyeonggi.
Fire authorities counted 28 people, including customers and employees, as injured so far. Of those, three were classified as seriously injured. In particular, one employee in their 60s suffered a severe head injury, and two customers also sustained injuries to the head and lower back and were transported to nearby hospitals. The remaining 25 reportedly had minor injuries.
A total of 72 people, including jjimjilbang customers, also evacuated outside in a hurry that day. Fortunately, no additional fire broke out after the explosion.
Police and fire authorities believe a gas cylinder briefly exploded while an employee was using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to light firewood in the charcoal kiln inside the jjimjilbang, and they are investigating the exact cause.
Right after the accident, fire authorities deployed 17 pieces of equipment and 42 personnel to carry out rescue and emergency operations, and said the number of victims could rise.