Reckitt Benckiser says sorry for deaths

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AP

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Emotional relatives rushed to the stage shortly after Mr Safdar took to the stage

British-based firm Reckitt Benckiser has admitted for the first time selling a humidifier disinfectant that killed a number of people in South Korea.

Its Korean division chief Ataur Safdar was attacked by angry relatives as he made the apology at a Seoul hotel.

Reckitt Benckiser is among several firms whose products are blamed for the deaths. It has offered compensation.

About 100 people have died from inhaling the products. Hundreds more are reported to have been injured.

Reckitt Benckiser withdrew its product from the market after South Korean authorities suggested a link between chemicals to sterilise humidifiers and lung conditions in 2011.

“This is the first time we are accepting the fullest responsibility, and we are offering a complete and full apology. We were late, five years have passed,” Mr Safdar said.

He said the company accepted full responsibility, adding that it was setting up a multi-million dollar humanitarian fund for the victims and their families.

Many are said to be children or pregnant women.

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YONHAP / AFP

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Mr Safdar made a deep bow as an apology during the press conference

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AFP/Yonhap

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Mr Safdar (centre) was hit and slapped by at least one angry relative

His apology was rejected by relatives, at least one of whom hit him shortly after he took to the stage and he was jostled and heckled.

About 500 people are reported to have died or been injured by poisonous chemicals used in humidifier disinfectants manufactured and sold by several companies in South Korea from 2001 to 2011.

Reckitt Benckiser has been criticised for earlier refusing to take responsibility.

Patty O’Hayer, a spokesperson for Reckitt Benckiser, told the BBC: “We do not know how many patients there are. We will compensate anyone who is likely or very likely to have lung disease.”

The company, which also makes painkiller Nurofen, was fined last week in Australia for misleading customers.

A court ruled that products marketed as targeting specific pains, such as migraine, were actually identical.

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