JEONJU -- Two workers died and three others were hospitalized after inhaling toxic gas at a paper mill in the southwestern city of Jeonju, authorities said Sunday.
Authorities said they received a call at 9:44 a.m. that a worker fell into a manhole at the factory and lost consciousness from gas exposure.
Two workers were found collapsed near the manhole and were transported to a hospital in cardiac arrest but died.
Another man in his 40s who was inside the manhole was rescued and taken to a hospital. Two others who were on a nearby ladder complained of dizziness and were also hospitalized.
Authorities believe the accident occurred when one of the workers entered the 3-meter-deep manhole filled with paper sludge, prompting his colleagues to follow in an attempt to rescue him.
All five workers were South Korean nationals, according to the police.
Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who declared his presidential bid last week, offered his condolences to the victims and "deepest sympathy" to the bereaved families on his newly launched Facebook page. (Yonhap)
