Daejeon Car-Parts Plant Fire Leaves Dozens Injured, Toll Rises
Daejeon Car-Parts Plant Fire Leaves Dozens Injured, Toll Rises
A fire at a car parts factory in Daejeon has left multiple dead and dozens injured as rescue teams search for missing workers.
A devastating fire swept through a car parts factory in Daejeon on Friday, killing and injuring a large number of workers as rescuers worked through the charred wreckage. Initial reports suggested at least 10 to 11 people had died, with 25 in a serious condition and 34 others injured, while three were reported missing as the situation developed. About 170 workers were at the plant when the blaze erupted around 1:00 p.m. local time (0400 GMT) on Friday, authorities said. The scale of the disaster forced responders to pause entry into the building for safety reasons, as the risk of collapse loomed over the facility.
A hazardous factor at the site complicated the operation: sodium stored at the factory could explode if mishandled, according to Yonhap. Fire crews used cranes to spray water onto the smoke-filled site, with a thick plume of black smoke visible as flames raged. By Saturday afternoon, local fire fighters had brought the blaze under control, but the rescue and recovery effort continued as investigators sought to determine the cause.
President Lee Jae Myung directed officials to mobilize all available resources for the rescue operation and to bolster protections for workers nationwide. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about safety standards in Korea’s industrial sector. The memory of past tragedies weighs on the response, including a 2024 blaze at a lithium battery factory that claimed 22 lives, prompting discussions about corporate responsibility and safety enforcement. In September, the CEO of battery maker Aricell was sentenced to 15 years in prison over that earlier disaster, highlighting how seriously authorities treat industrial fires and worker safety.
As investigators review what happened, families and coworkers await more information about those still missing and the health of the dozens hospitalized. The incident in Daejeon adds to a string of industrial emergencies that have drawn national attention and raised questions about preventive measures and rapid emergency response.
