HWASEONG, SOUTH KOREA — A devastating fire at a three-story battery factory in Hwaseong, South Korea, resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals on Monday. The blaze, which started in the early afternoon, was brought under control after more than four hours by local firefighters.
According to Philippines News Agency, firefighters were able to extinguish the fire by 3:10 p.m. local time and subsequently discovered the bodies upon entering the facility. The fire occurred at a plant owned by lithium battery manufacturer Aricell, located just south of Seoul. Authorities believe the deceased were among 23 people reported missing following the incident.
The majority of those unaccounted for, including the deceased, are believed to be foreign nationals, with a significant number being Chinese. In response to the emergency, President Yoon Suk Yeol issued instructions to mobilize all available resources for rescue efforts. Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min also directed government agencies and local administrations to allocate all necessary personnel and equipment to manage the fire and aid in rescue operations.
The rapid spread of the fire was exacerbated by continuous explosions of battery cells within the facility, which significantly hindered rescue efforts and made it challenging for emergency teams to search the premises effectively.