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Six charges laid against Little Miss Korea dropped after restaurant explosion

The safety watchdog has dropped six charges levelled against a Darwin restaurant after an explosion sent a table of diners to hospital.

CBD restaurant Little Miss Korea was charged after butane gas ignited under a table, sending five people to hospital. Picture: Supplied.
CBD restaurant Little Miss Korea was charged after butane gas ignited under a table, sending five people to hospital. Picture: Supplied.

WorkSafe have dropped six charges laid against Little Miss Korea after an explosion at the Darwin City restaurant landed five diners in hospital.

The safety watchdog told the Darwin Local Court on Tuesday that six counts of reckless conduct risking death or injury would be withdrawn.

Six counts of failure to comply with health and safety duties are still being levelled at the Korean barbecue restaurant, with a hearing set for April next year.

Little Miss Korea is facing six counts of failing to comply with health and safety duties following a gas explosion last year. Picture: Zayda Dollie
Little Miss Korea is facing six counts of failing to comply with health and safety duties following a gas explosion last year. Picture: Zayda Dollie

“The charges being withdrawn doesn’t impact on how the case is to run or the witnesses called,” lawyer Nicholas Goodfellow told the court.

Six people were seated at a restaurant table when the explosion occurred on September 7 last year.

Five of them needed emergency treatment at Royal Darwin Hospital – one of them reportedly suffering significant burns to the front of their body.

An NT WorkSafe investigation found the patrons were cooking on a barbecue grill with the gas canister attached.

It was alleged the canister was heated by the hot coals, causing a pressure valve to release butane under the table and leading to the explosion.

WorkSafe also alleged that despite clear warning signs on the butane gas canister, none of Little Miss Korea’s safety information provided any advice or instruction to staff on the gas cartridge compartment of the barbecue grill or use of butane gas canisters.

Last month it was announced Little Miss Korea and adjoining bar Loading Bay were on the market for $150-$180,000.

Little Miss Korea will return to court March 12 for a mention.

Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-nt/six-charges-laid-against-little-miss-korea-dropped-after-restaurant-explosion/news-story/0a89e9983a4860de33edcfba6c98b60a