A devastating fire has swept through a lithium battery factory in South Korea, claiming the lives of at least 20 individuals, while more than 20 others remain unaccounted for.
The fire, triggered by exploding battery cells, produced dense smoke that engulfed the factory located in Hwaseong, just south of Seoul.
Rescue operations are challenging due to ongoing flames, preventing authorities from entering the premises to conduct searches.
Initial reports confirm that emergency teams have recovered the bodies of 20 victims. Several workers have been hospitalized, with two in critical condition, as confirmed by local officials.
Upon learning of the incident, President Yoon Suk Yeol instructed emergency services to deploy all available personnel and equipment for rescue efforts.
The factory, owned by Aricell, a South Korean manufacturer, had approximately 67 employees inside when the fire broke out.
The fire began with a series of explosions from highly flammable battery cells inside the warehouse.
Firefighters and emergency responders rushed to the scene shortly after the initial blast, but the intensity of the fire caused significant damage to the factory’s structure.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. This tragic event follows another recent fire in Astana, Kazakhstan, where a residential tower block was engulfed in flames, forcing evacuations and a large-scale firefighting operation.
