3 Workers Die During Vehicle Test at Hyundai Factory
Tragedy struck at a Hyundai car plant on Tuesday as three workers lost their lives during a vehicle performance test, the South Korean automaker confirmed.
“Three research workers have died at an Ulsan assembly line,” a Hyundai representative told AFP, adding that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the incident.
The Ulsan facility, located 370 kilometers (229 miles) southeast of Seoul, is known as the world’s largest single automobile plant, featuring its own export shipping dock. Hyundai, along with its affiliate Kia, ranks as the world’s third-largest automaker, selling over 4.2 million vehicles globally in 2023.
According to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, the fatal accident occurred inside a chamber where a car performance test was being conducted. Preliminary reports suggest that toxic exhaust gases in the enclosed space may have caused the workers’ deaths.
The victims, identified as two Hyundai researchers and a subcontracted worker, were found collapsed in the test chamber. They were rushed to nearby hospitals but were pronounced dead on arrival. Police have launched an investigation to confirm the cause, with early findings pointing to possible suffocation from toxic gas.
This is not the first deadly incident at the Ulsan plant. In 2023, a worker died after his head was caught in a heat treatment machine during an inspection. At the time, Hyundai issued a public apology and pledged to implement stronger safety measures.
Hyundai and Kia together dominate the South Korean automotive market, accounting for approximately 80% of new vehicle sales in 2023. This latest incident raises fresh concerns about worker safety at one of the country’s most prominent industrial facilities.
