A nitrogen leak has killed at least two people and injured four others at LG Display’s plant in South Korea. The gas leak happened at about 1 p.m. local time at LG’s P8 factory located in Paju. LG manufactures liquid crystal displays for LCD TVs and OLED TVs at the facility where the nitrogen leak happened. It’s believed that the factory is the biggest production in the world.
Details on the nitrogen leak
LG Display workers were doing routine maintenance on the plant’s ninth floor, according to The Korea Herald, when the valve on a cylinder holding nitrogen gas was accidentally opened, said firefighters. One of the workers was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second was pronounced dead while emergency workers were transporting him to an area hospital.
According to a statement from LG, one of the four workers who were injured is listed in serious condition, while the other three workers suffered less serious injuries. The BBC reports that cause of death for the two workers was suffocation. Nitrogen can cause asphyxiation when it isn’t mixed with oxygen. LG Display uses it to wash the panels for the displays during the manufacturing process.
Police are currently investigating the cause of the accident, and over 12 firefighters remained on the scene after the emergency situation was over to ensure another incident would not happen.
LG apologizes to victims
Not long after the nitrogen gas leak was reported, LG Display issued a statement to the victims and their families. The company also called the incident a “terrible tragedy” and stated that it is “working to uncover the exact sequence of events” that resulted in the gas leak.
“We send our most heartfelt condolences and apologies to the deceased and will do everything in our power to help the injured recover as quickly as possible,” read the statement.
In December a nitrogen gas leak that’s similar to the one that happened today at the LG Display factory killed three workers at the Singori 3 nuclear reactor located in Ulsan.
