A significant fire broke out on Monday at a lithium battery factory in Hwaseong, South Korea, resulting in one confirmed death and 21 individuals reported missing, according to local authorities. The incident occurred at a plant owned by Aricell, a major South Korean battery manufacturer.
Emergency services have been battling the blaze, which has prevented immediate rescue operations inside the facility. Firefighter Kim Jin-young stated, “We are still unable to go inside and carry out rescue operations. We will carry it out once we get the fire under control.”
Kim confirmed that 21 workers remain unaccounted for, with efforts underway to track their locations using contact information provided by Aricell. One worker was killed, and another suffered severe burns.
Photographs shared by Yonhap news agency depicted massive plumes of grey smoke and visible flames emanating from the factory, as dozens of fire engines assembled at the scene.
In response to the emergency, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol issued directives to authorities to deploy all available resources for the search and rescue mission. He emphasized the need to prioritize firefighter safety due to the rapid spread of the fire.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined, with investigations set to commence once the situation is under control. South Korea is renowned for its battery production, supplying major electric vehicle manufacturers globally, including Tesla.
The firefighting and rescue efforts are ongoing as authorities continue to combat the blaze and locate the missing personnel.
