On-site inspections carried out to determine deadly howitzer explosion

SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- Government researchers, military personnel and police
conducted on-site investigations at a test range Saturday to determine the exact
cause of a deadly howitzer explosion earlier in the week.

The joint panel checked evidence collected from the site and listened to
testimonies from witnesses present at the time of the explosion that killed one
Agency for Defense Development (ADD) researchers and injured several others on
Thursday.
The explosion that destroyed a KH-179 155mm howitzer took place at a firing
ranges operated by the ADD in Pocheon 46 kilometers north of Seoul.
"We have collected most of the evidence and using the testimonies provided by
witnesses will try to draw a complete picture of what happened," a ministry
official said.
He said the probe is centered around possible problems with the fuse, abnormal
detonation of the shell or the propellant charge.
Initially, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said the explosion
occurred after a newly developed fuse was inserted into a shell for testing.
The official, said that military explosive experts have also been called in to
check all evidence along with researchers from the ADD.
"A general idea of what caused the explosion should be released next week
although it may take about a month for the investigation to be concluded," he
said.
ADD is South Korea's top weapons development institute and is responsible for
most of the testing to new products.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)

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