A woman in her 50s, who sustained severe burns in an arson attack at an apartment complex management office in Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, has died. This brings the total number of fatalities in the incident to two. The victim had been receiving treatment for her injuries at a specialized burn hospital in Daegu.
Tragic Escalation of Gyeongsan Arson Case
The deceased, identified as Ms. A, was employed as a receptionist at the apartment management office. She succumbed to her injuries on the afternoon of the 31st. Authorities are planning to conduct an autopsy to determine the precise cause of her death.
The incident originally occurred on the morning of the 23rd when a resident, identified as Mr. Ryu, 71, allegedly sprayed an accelerant and set fire to the management office. The blaze resulted in burns for eight individuals, including Mr. Ryu.
Second Victim Succumbs to Injuries
Among those injured was another woman in her 50s, Ms. B. She suffered serious burns and was transported to the hospital. Tragically, Ms. B passed away the following day. Reports indicate that Ms. B had visited the management office on the day of the incident to report that the apartment’s security cameras were not functioning, only to become a victim of the ensuing attack.
Ms. A’s death on the 31st marks the second fatality stemming from this devastating arson. The condition of two other victims remains critical, with five individuals still hospitalized. Their injuries are described as severe.
Suspect Also Injured and Under Investigation
The alleged perpetrator, Mr. Ryu, also sustained burns during the commission of the crime and is currently receiving medical treatment. While conscious, he is reportedly finding it difficult to communicate. Police intend to question Mr. Ryu once his condition stabilizes.
Mr. Ryu is being investigated on suspicion of arson. Law enforcement is actively working to uncover the motive and details surrounding the incident. Investigators are analyzing evidence, including Mr. Ryu’s mobile phone records obtained through a search warrant, and CCTV footage from the apartment complex, to piece together the events leading up to the attack.
Dispute Preceded the Arson Attack
It is understood that Mr. Ryu had a verbal altercation with the management office staff, including the manager, on the day of the incident regarding management regulations. Following this dispute, Mr. Ryu reportedly retrieved thinner from a storage room in the basement of the management office, doused the floor, and set it ablaze.
Further investigation revealed that Mr. Ryu had another argument with the management office staff the day before the incident, which led to the police being called to the scene.
Motive and CCTV Malfunction Under Scrutiny
The police are investigating the possibility that this was not a random act of violence but a premeditated act of revenge. They are examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged malfunction of the apartment’s CCTV system.
Reports suggest that on the afternoon of the day before the incident, while management office employees were out attending to a resident’s complaint elsewhere, the CCTV feeds from 13 cameras within the office premises went offline. Only one camera inside the office reportedly remained operational. The police are working to determine if the CCTV outage is connected to the arson attack.
If premeditated revenge is confirmed as the motive, the police plan to apply charges under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Specific Crimes, which carries more severe penalties than standard arson charges.
Conclusion
The Gyeongsan apartment arson case has tragically claimed two lives, with severe injuries sustained by several others. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of the incident, including the suspect’s motive and any potential accomplices or contributing factors, such as the reported CCTV system malfunction. The community awaits further details as the police continue their thorough inquiry.
