Pohang: Up to six individuals fainted after inhaling what appeared to be toxic gas at POSCO's Pohang Steelworks on Thursday, officials reported. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. at the steelworks located 262 kilometers southeast of Seoul, involving two contracted cleaners and a POSCO employee who were working on removing sludge outside a plant.

According to Yonhap News Agency, firefighters and police revealed that the three individuals were found in cardiac arrest due to gas inhalation. They were promptly transported to nearby hospitals where they remain unconscious, with some requiring respiratory support. Additionally, three POSCO in-house firefighters were also exposed to the gas during rescue efforts, but their conditions were deemed not life-threatening.

Authorities have suggested carbon monoxide poisoning as a potential cause of the incident. Police have indicated that determining the full circumstances surrounding the accident may take time, as access to the site is restricted to a limited number of personnel equipped with protective gear due to the lingering presence of gas.

A police official stated, "It's taking time to determine the exact outline of the accident and extent of damage," and noted that the investigation would also focus on whether safety protocols were adhered to adequately.

The incident follows a recent accident at the steelworks just two weeks prior, where one worker was killed and three others sustained burns after exposure to chemical substances from damaged pipes.