Samsung managers probed over fatal chemical leak

SEOUL (AFP) - South Korean police said on Tuesday that they were investigating three Samsung managers for possible negligent homicide after a deadly toxic chemical leak at a chipmaking plant last month.

One repair worker died after trying to stop the leak of diluted hydrofluoric acid at the Samsung Electronics' plant in the city of Hwaseong, 43km south-west of central Seoul, on Jan 27.

Four other workers were treated in hospital but later released.

A post-mortem showed the worker had died of exposure to gas given off by the leak, which can damage lungs and bones, and affect the nervous system.