At least 11 people have been killed in a massive fire at an automobile parts manufacturing plant in Daejeon, South Korea, authorities said on Saturday, as rescue teams continued search operations for missing workers.
According to Yonhap News Agency, rescue personnel recovered the remains of the 11th victim from the charred debris around noon. Three individuals are still unaccounted for, while at least 59 people sustained injuries, including two firefighters involved in the operation.
The fire broke out at around 1:17 pm on Friday at the facility, where approximately 170 workers were present. The blaze is suspected to have been triggered by an explosion, with witnesses reporting a sudden blast followed by rapidly spreading flames.
Firefighting efforts were significantly hampered in the initial hours due to fears that the structure could collapse. Adding to the risk was the presence of nearly 200 kilogrammes of sodium stored inside the plant, a highly reactive substance that can explode if not handled carefully during fire suppression.
Authorities said it took nearly 10 hours and 30 minutes to bring the fire under control. Following containment, emergency teams have deployed heavy machinery to clear debris and continue the search for those still missing.
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has directed authorities to fully mobilise available personnel and equipment to manage the aftermath of the disaster and assist in rescue and recovery efforts.
The incident underscores ongoing safety concerns in industrial facilities, particularly those handling hazardous materials, where fire risks can escalate rapidly into large-scale disasters.
–Input WAM
