McDonald's Corp. temporarily closed all of its 29 restaurants in Peru following the deaths of two employees due to electrocution, Reuters reported Dec. 18, citing a statement from its franchisee Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc.
The restaurants will remain closed until Arcos completes safety inspections, which a spokesperson for the company said began Dec. 18 and could take "hours or days."
Carlos Edgardo and Campos Zapata were electrocuted while cleaning the kitchen, the report said, citing police officials. Police and a Lima-based prosecutor are investigating the incident, while the Peruvian Ministry of Labor said it would also conduct an investigation, the report said.
Arcos reportedly said in a statement that it was "deeply saddened" by the employees' deaths and is cooperating with local authorities.
McDonald's in its statement said it was "profoundly saddened by the tragic accident."
McDonald's and Arcos did not immediately respond to S&P Global Market Intelligence's request for comment.