SEOUL, South Korea -- In a tragic incident, an industrial robot at a vegetable packaging plant in South Korea grabbed and crushed a worker to death, prompting an investigation into potential defects or design flaws of the machine. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of industrial robots and the need for heightened precautions in a country that heavily relies on automation in its industries.

According to the authorities, initial evidence suggests that human error may have played a significant role in the accident, rather than a fault with the machine itself. However, the incident has sparked discussions about the overall safety of industrial robots and the potential false sense of security they may provide to employees working alongside them.

The incident occurred in Goseong County, where the victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, suffered fatal head and chest injuries on Tuesday evening. The individual was an employee of a company specializing in the installation of industrial robots and was present at the plant to inspect the machine's functionality.

This is not the first incident of its kind in South Korea in recent years. In March, a manufacturing robot critically injured a worker who was examining it at an auto parts factory in Gunsan. Additionally, in a tragic incident last year, a robot positioned near a conveyor belt fatally crushed a worker at a milk factory in Pyeongtaek.

At the facility involved in the recent incident, the machine in question was one of two pick-and-place robots utilized for packaging bell peppers and other vegetables destined for export to other Asian countries. Such robots have become increasingly common in South Korea's agricultural communities, which are grappling with a dwindling and aging workforce.

According to Kang Jin-gi, the head of the investigations department at Gosong Police Station, the robot involved in the accident was not an advanced, artificial intelligence-powered robot. Instead, it was a basic machine designed to handle boxes and place them on pallets. Authorities are working closely with relevant agencies to determine if the robot had any technical defects or safety issues.

While investigating the incident, police are also exploring the possibility of human error. The robot's sensors are programmed to identify boxes, and security footage indicated that the victim had approached the robot with a box in hand, triggering the machine's reaction. Authorities believe it was not a case of the robot confusing the human with a box, as the machine was relatively simple in its operations.

South Korea currently holds the highest density of industrial robots in the world, with approximately 1,000 robots per 10,000 employees as of 2021, according to data from the International Federation of Robotics. This number is more than three times the amount found in China during the same year. Industrial robots in South Korea are predominantly employed in major manufacturing plants, including those in the electronics and automotive sectors.

The tragic incident has reignited the conversation around worker safety and the need for rigorous safety measures when utilizing industrial robots. As South Korea continues to rely on automation to drive its industries, it becomes crucial for companies and authorities to prioritize the well-being of workers and ensure the proper functioning and safety of these machines.