Three workers conducting a safety inspection died after a fire broke out at a wind turbine in the Changpo-ri wind farm in Yeongdeok-eup, Yeongdeok County, North Gyeongsang.
Police said on the 23rd they rescued one worker from the wind turbine tower, but the worker later died. Two other workers who had been out of contact were also found dead.
The fire started at about 1:11 p.m. that day at turbine No. 19 in the wind farm. Forest and fire authorities deployed 11 firefighting helicopters along with equipment and personnel to battle the blaze, but strong winds spread it to a nearby hill.
Police and fire authorities plan to investigate the exact cause of the fire and the extent of the damage once the blaze is extinguished.
There are 24 wind turbines installed in the wind farm where the fire broke out. On the 2nd of last month, turbine No. 21 snapped and toppled due to a blade being damaged, and operations had been suspended since then.