Up to six people fainted after inhaling what appeared to be toxic gas at POSCO's Pohang Steelworks. The incident occurred while two contracted cleaners and a POSCO employee were removing sludge outside a plant. Rescuers, including firefighters, were also exposed during the response.
The accident took place around 1:30 p.m. on November 20, 2025, at POSCO's Pohang Steelworks in Pohang, 262 kilometers southeast of Seoul. Two contracted cleaners and one POSCO employee were removing sludge outside a plant when they inhaled what appeared to be toxic gas. Initially, the three were found in cardiac arrest and rushed to nearby hospitals, where they remain unconscious, with some requiring respiratory support.
Reports updated the casualty count to up to six, including three POSCO in-house firefighters exposed during the rescue attempt; their conditions are not life-threatening. There are conflicting accounts from firefighting authorities, police, and the company on the exact number and status: firefighting officials reported three in cardiac arrest and three injured, police identified two cleaners and four POSCO firefighters with the cleaners in arrest, while the company noted three transferred—one POSCO employee and two cleaners—with two in arrest.
Authorities suspect carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause. A police official stated, "It's taking time to determine the exact outline of the accident and extent of damage," noting that lingering gas limits access to those with protective gear. Investigators will also examine compliance with safety protocols.
This incident follows a similar accident at the same steelworks just two weeks prior, where one worker died and three suffered burns from exposure to chemicals from damaged pipes, highlighting ongoing workplace safety concerns.