Suspected ammonia leak occurs at Samsung plant

A suspected ammonia leak occurred at Samsung Electronics Co.’s semiconductor plant in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province on Thursday.

According to the company four employees of an associated company received checkups at the company’s medical facilities after they smelt ammonia at about 3:55 p.m. The three were immediately released, but one is undergoing further tests due to a history of myocardial infarction, the company said.

This is the third time toxic gas leaks have occurred at Samsung Electronics’ facilities this year.

In January, a hydrofluoric acid leak killed one and injured several others at the Hwaseong plant. The incident led to seven people, including three Samsung officials, being indicted for negligence. The same plant experienced another leak in May when a number of workers required treatment.

(cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)