Fatal fire at Yeongdeok wind farm during blade crack repair

What happened

A fire broke out inside a wind turbine at the Yeongdeok wind power complex in Changpo-ri, Yeongdeok-eup, Yeongdeok-gun, Gyeongbuk province, South Korea. Chosun Ilbo reports that the fire started on 23 March 2026, although a photo caption in the same article gives 24 March. Three workers employed by a contractor were inside the turbine repairing a crack in one of its blades when the fire started, and all three died.

The work area is about 80 metres above ground, so heavy cranes were needed to reach it. Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency said a joint forensic inspection with the National Forensic Service and the Ministry of Employment and Labour was scheduled for 12 October 2026, about six months after the fire. Police said a new access road had to be built for heavy cranes, and extra measures were needed to protect the site from strong winds.

Police said the detailed findings and final investigation results would be released later, to help prevent similar cases. The same article reports that on 2 February 2026 an 80-metre wind turbine tower at this complex snapped and fell onto a road. The source does not say whether the two events are linked.

Contributing factors

The source does not state the cause of the fire. Work was being carried out at height inside the turbine, on a blade with a crack. Access for heavy equipment and strong winds delayed the forensic inspection. The source reports an earlier tower failure at the same complex in February 2026, but does not say whether the two events are linked.

Lessons learned

1. Repair work inside a wind turbine at height needs a documented fire-prevention plan, controls on ignition sources, and a tested means of escape before work starts.
2. Maintenance on tall turbines should include a plan for crane access and wind limits, so that rescue and forensic access are not delayed after an incident.
3. Where a turbine at a site has suffered a structural failure, operators should review the condition of the rest of the fleet at that site before carrying out further high-risk work.

More lessons on maintenance, inspection and ageing assets, structural integrity and turbines, from every incident on the register.

Source

chosun.com