Busan: Two Russian crew members were left in cardiac arrest and two others injured after Freon gas leaked aboard a Russian fishing boat docked at a port in South Korea's southeastern city of Busan, local authorities said.
According to Yonhap News Agency, police and firefighting authorities received a report of the incident at 8:37 a.m. on the 769-ton fishing boat carrying 15 crew members. A total of 40 police and firefighting personnel were deployed to inspect the vessel and surrounding areas for additional damage and casualties.
Freon gas is widely used as a refrigerant in air conditioners and refrigerators. Although it has a low level of toxicity, inhaling the gas in confined spaces can lead to asphyxiation. Authorities are currently investigating the exact cause of the accident.