A fire at an auto parts factory in Daejeon, South Korea, on Friday resulted in at least 11 fatalities, with three people still missing, officials reported. An official from the interior ministry's disaster response department told AFP news agency that 25 individuals were seriously injured, while 34 sustained non-serious injuries.
The blaze ignited around 1:00 p.m. local time (0400 GMT) and spread rapidly through the facility, emitting thick gray smoke into the sky. Approximately 170 workers were present in the building at the time. Footage from the scene depicted workers leaping from upper floors to escape the flames.
The cause remains undetermined, although witnesses reported an explosion. Daedeok District fire chief Nam Deuk-woo stated that firefighters were unable to access parts of the structure due to collapse risks. Instead, crews prioritized containing the fire's spread to adjacent facilities and removing hazardous chemicals.
Authorities noted that about 200 kilograms (440 pounds) of highly reactive chemicals were stored on-site. South Korea's Yonhap news agency indicated the presence of sodium, which can explode if mishandled. Some injuries resulted from smoke inhalation, while others occurred from falls after workers jumped from the building.
The incident prompted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to order full mobilization of personnel and equipment to aid rescue efforts. Over 500 emergency responders and around 120 vehicles were deployed, including evacuation aircraft, an unmanned water cannon vehicle, and firefighting robots designed for hazardous environments. Robots were utilized to cool the structure and conduct safety inspections, enabling searches for missing workers late Friday.
Nam reported that one victim's remains were found on the second floor, and nine others were discovered in what is believed to have been a gym on the third floor. By Saturday morning, rescuers had combed all accessible areas of the plant, with the missing likely trapped under collapsed debris. The fire was extinguished by Saturday afternoon.
Source: www.dw.com