Funeral procedures for 14 victims of the Daejeon Safe Industry factory fire disaster, which left 74 people dead or injured, ended 10 days after the accident. After saying goodbye to the deceased, the bereaved families are calling for a thorough investigation into the disaster and appropriate punishment.
The funerals for the victims of the disaster concluded at about 7:50 a.m. on the 30th with the final send-off.
After the funeral, bereaved family representative Song Young-rok met with reporters and said, "I am here to ask for attention to this disaster," delivering the families' first official position since the tragedy.
Song criticized the lax safety management at the business sites. He noted that he had heard there had been fires from time to time in the past and said, "The first witness also said there were several fires and they were extinguished in-house." He added, "Because of that, I think they may have thought this one could also be put out on their own and delayed evacuation."
He also questioned the effectiveness of safety training at the business sites. Song said, "Personally, as these incidents keep repeating, I think training by the company is necessary, but nothing has been confirmed about the training situation or safety training," adding, "If there had been such accidents, and if they had paid attention to and improved fire facilities and the like, I think there would not have been a major disaster."
Song, the brother-in-law of one of the fire victims, took part in the on-site inspection of the blaze. He said that even after more than 10 hours of flames in heat intense enough to melt thick H-beams, oil residue still remained at the scene.
Song said, "We have requested negotiations from the company regarding compensation for the bereaved families, future efforts for the families, and how it will respond to the investigation, but we have not yet received an answer," adding, "How many people can confide in their families that their workplace is harsh and difficult?"
He criticized Safe Industry for asking the labor authorities after the disaster to lift the work stoppage and to allow some equipment to be transferred and operated. Song said, "As an investigation will show, I understand this is not a company that cannot provide compensation unless it removes those machines or that lacks such assets, so hearing that makes me angry."
He emphasized, "I hope a thorough investigation is conducted so that, even if it takes a long time, the cause is clearly identified and those responsible are held accountable."