The victims had been working in a cleaning room in Building 56 of the company’s Daejeon plant when an explosion of unknown cause occurred on Monday.
Funeral arrangements were delayed as the bodies were severely damaged in the blast, complicating the identification process. Authorities completed the process on Wednesday, two days after the accident, while additional time was needed for consultations with bereaved families.
Mourners continued to visit throughout the day as Hanwha Aerospace employees, many wearing work uniforms, gathered to pay their respects and offer condolences to the victims’ families.
Among those paying their respects were Hanwha Vice Chairman Yeo Seung-joo and Defense Acquisition Program Administration Minister Lee Yong-cheol.
Yeo and Lee repeatedly bowed before the grieving father of one victim in his 20s.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Lee said the accident had occurred in an area that had not been designated as subject to safety inspections.
“We will closely examine gaps in safety management and shortcomings at the facility level, and come up with measures to prevent even unforeseen accidents,” Lee said.
One of the five victims will be moved to another region on Saturday for funeral services in his hometown. The remaining four funerals will be held in Daejeon, with funeral processions scheduled for Sunday.
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