An explosion at a large outdoor oil storage tank at Korea National Oil Corporation Pipeline’s Yeongnam branch is preliminarily attributed to static electricity generated during a petroleum component verification process. The incident occurred at a large-scale oil storage facility housing 12 to 14 tanks, raising concerns that it could have escalated into a major disaster.
During an on-site briefing, officials stated, “An ignition source is required for an explosion, and we estimate static electricity was the cause.”
They explained, “When products arrive at the tank, sample collection work is conducted. One worker was deployed, and a fire broke out during that process. Static electricity can be generated when a person’s body moves.”
According to authorities, the worker conducting sample collection was using an anti-static pad at the time of the accident. The worker’s pants caught fire from the explosion, but he evacuated quickly and was not injured.