Around 11:15 a.m. on the 10th, an explosion occurred at a storage tank for petroleum-based chemicals at the United Terminal Korea factory in Cheoyong-ri, Onsan-eup, Ulsan, leaving one worker seriously injured. The worker was transported to the hospital but died.
According to the fire authorities, a 30s individual, referred to as A, who was unconscious when transported to the hospital immediately following the accident, underwent surgery but died around 3 p.m. Another worker, referred to as B, who was also injured, was taken to the hospital. They were reportedly working to check the residual amount of chemicals in the tank when the accident occurred.
Firefighters arrived at the scene around 11:26 a.m., nine minutes after receiving the fire report. The fire authorities issued a Level 1 response alert at 11:34 a.m., and four minutes later, a Level 2 response was issued. Level 2 response is an alert that mobilizes 51 to 80 pieces of equipment from 8 to 14 fire stations.
As of 1:33 p.m., the fire authorities have mobilized 44 pieces of equipment and 87 personnel to suppress the fire and conduct rescue operations. A large-capacity fire extinguishing system capable of spraying 75,000 liters of water per minute up to 130 meters away was also deployed. Three helicopters from the Korea Fire Agency and the Korea Forest Service were mobilized. The fire authorities reported they had brought the blaze under control by around 1:33 p.m. and downgraded the response to Level 1.
The United Terminal Korea, where the fire occurred, operates a comprehensive liquid cargo terminal. It handles tasks such as unloading, storing, and shipping liquid cargo.
It is still unclear what flammable liquid was contained in the tank that exploded and what the tank's capacity was. The fire authorities are investigating the exact cause of the fire, including what work was being done before it occurred.
The police are controlling traffic in the vicinity due to concerns of further explosions. Around 11:40 a.m., Ulsan County sent disaster safety messages to nearby residents, advising them to "reroute vehicles around the building." In a disaster safety message sent at around 12:28 p.m., Ulsan City stated, "Nearby citizens should close windows and be cautious to avoid inhaling smoke."
Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance Choi Sang-mok received reports on the explosion incident in Ulsan County on the 10th and urgently instructed, "The Ministry of Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Korea Fire Agency, and Ulsan Metropolitan City should mobilize all available equipment and personnel to do their best to suppress the fire."
Choi said, "In particular, the Chief of the Korea Fire Agency must ensure the safety of firefighters engaged in firefighting activities to prevent casualties, and the Korean National Police Agency and Ulsan Metropolitan City should thoroughly implement safety measures such as controlling access to the scene and evacuating residents."