After a series of gas explosions in Hyesan, North Korean authorities appear to be trying to stem the flow of “illegal” liquid petroleum gas (LPG) gas canisters into the country, Daily NK has learned.
According to a source in Yanggang Province on Aug. 12, Hyesan’s Ministry of Social Security and the municipal people’s committee have begun an intensive investigation into how gas cylinders have been purchased by locals. People living in Tapsong District, where the explosions occurred, as well as those in nearby districts, are being grilled about where they acquired the canisters from.
The authorities have reportedly deemed the use of such gas canisters as “illegal” because the canisters never received “state permission” to be imported.
This move appears to be an attempt to shift the blame for the Aug. 3 incident onto local people and “show off” the fact that the authorities are conducting an investigation.
The authorities also aim to stop any smuggling of the gas canisters into the country. The source told Daily NK that the authorities are investigating how the canisters are purchased with a view to round up smugglers and their accomplices.
Locals, however, have expressed discontent with the direction of the investigation, pointing out that the government has never raised an issue with the gas canisters so far. According to the source, some are complaining that they are mystified by the government’s response given that the authorities have told everyone to “fend for themselves.”
Many locals reportedly believe that the investigation is simply a formality. “[The authorities] won’t discover the source [of the gas canisters] because people stick firmly together [in not divulging the smuggling routes],” the source said, adding, “The authorities have no alternatives, and even government officials are using [the canisters], so the state isn’t likely to confiscate all the canisters people own.”
Lectures are also being held during inminban meetings to urge locals to prevent a repeat of Aug. 3, according to the source.
“At the meeting, it was stressed that everyone needs to be mindful that accidents can happen at any time, and to always be careful when smoking cigarettes,” the source said. The mention of cigarettes suggests that the incident on Aug. 3 was caused by sparks from a cigarette.
“The lecturer repeatedly pointed out that the state would not offer any compensation, warning everyone that they should be vigilant because the government would not provide any help at all [in the event of an accident],” he added.
Following the death of two others recently in the hospital, a total of 17 people have died due to the explosions on Aug. 3. “The [two victims who died recently] were taken to the hospital with third-degree burns, but there was no ice there,” the source said. “The families rushed to a nearby market to buy some, but in the end it wasn’t enough to save their lives.”
The tragedy might not be over yet, as the source also noted that some of the hospitalized patients are still “hovering between life and death.”
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