Six women hurt after personal gas gun goes off at Incheon cultural center
In short
A personal-protection gas gun went off at the Cheongna Complex Cultural Center in Incheon at about 9:07 am on 22 October, and six women complained of eye pain. Fire authorities presume a privately held gas spray was fired by mistake, and police and fire officials plan to investigate the exact cause.
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A report reached the 119 emergency line at about 9:07 am on 22 October that a personal-protection gas gun had exploded at the Cheongna Complex Cultural Center in Cheongna-dong, Seohae District, Incheon. Hankook Ilbo and Seoul Economic Daily quoted the caller as saying the gas gun went off and they had inhaled the gas. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
Six women complained of eye pain: one in her 60s, three in their 50s and two in their 40s, according to Seoul Shinmun, Kukmin Ilbo and Seoul Economic Daily. Reports differ on how many were taken to hospital. Yonhap's first report and Seoul Shinmun said two people, including a woman in her 50s, were taken to hospital by ambulance. Kyunghyang Shinmun said six women were taken to nearby hospitals. Hankook Ilbo said the six received first aid on site or were taken to hospital, and Seoul Economic Daily said they received first aid at the temporary medical post. Yonhap's first report said the number taken to hospital could rise. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
Fire authorities sent 79 personnel and 24 pieces of equipment, according to the outlets. Seoul Shinmun and Seoul Economic Daily said they evacuated people from the building and gave emergency treatment to the injured. A temporary medical post was set up at 9:26 am, and the chemical response center finished neutralization work at 10:26 am, according to Seoul Shinmun and Kukmin Ilbo. [ 1 , 2 , 6 , 7 ]
Fire authorities presume that a gas spray carried by an individual was fired by mistake, Seoul Shinmun, Hankook Ilbo, Kyunghyang Shinmun and Seoul Economic Daily reported. Hankook Ilbo quoted them as saying the detailed cause is being investigated by police. Police and fire authorities plan to investigate the exact course of events. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 ]
Kukmin Ilbo reported that police believe an 80-something man, identified only as A, who uses the swimming pool at the center, handed the gas gun to a 70-something man, identified as B, before it was fired by mistake. A was said to have given away a gas gun he had owned for a long time because he was old and no longer needed it. Police will check whether the gas gun was permitted and, if a violation is confirmed, plan to book A or B under the law on safety management of firearms, swords and explosives. No other outlet in the documents reported these details. [ 6 ]
Why it matters
The documents give no basis for wider significance beyond the injuries and the investigation. Police are checking whether the gas gun was licensed, and Kukmin Ilbo reported they may bring charges if a violation is found.
Key facts
- A 119 report at about 9:07 am on 22 October said a personal-protection gas gun had exploded at the Cheongna Complex Cultural Center in Cheongna-dong, Seohae District, Incheon. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Six women, one in her 60s, three in their 50s and two in their 40s, complained of eye pain. [ 2 , 6 , 7 ]
- Fire authorities sent 79 personnel and 24 pieces of equipment to the scene. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- A temporary medical post was set up at 9:26 am, and the chemical response center finished neutralization work at 10:26 am. [ 2 , 6 , 7 ]
- Fire authorities presume a gas spray carried by an individual was fired by mistake. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 ]
- Police and fire authorities plan to investigate the exact course of events. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A gas gun went off inside the Cheongna Complex Cultural Center in Incheon on the morning of 22 October after a report at about 9:07 am. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Six women aged in their 40s to 60s were hurt and complained of eye pain. [ 2 , 3 , 6 , 7 ]
- Fire authorities presume the gas gun, carried by an individual, was fired by mistake, and the exact cause is under investigation. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 ]
- A temporary medical post was set up and 79 personnel and 24 pieces of equipment were deployed. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
Still unclear
- How many people were taken to hospital. Yonhap's first report and Seoul Shinmun said two people were taken to hospital, Kyunghyang Shinmun said six women were taken to hospital, Hankook Ilbo said the six received first aid on site or were taken to hospital, and Seoul Economic Daily said the six received first aid at the temporary medical post.
- Who held the gas gun and how it came to be fired. Only Kukmin Ilbo gave a police account, that an 80-something man handed the gas gun to a 70-something man before it was fired by mistake; other outlets said only that the cause is under investigation.
- Whether the gas gun was licensed and whether anyone will be charged. Kukmin Ilbo said police will check the permit status and may book one of the two men if a violation is found; no other document covers this.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- A 119 report said a gas gun had exploded at the Cheongna Complex Cultural Center. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Fire authorities set up a temporary medical post at the scene. [ 2 , 6 ]
- The chemical response center finished neutralization work. [ 2 , 6 , 7 ]
- Yonhap reported that two people had been taken to hospital and that the number could rise. [ 1 ]
- Yonhap's updated report was headlined as six people transported. [ 4 ]