HWASEONG, South Korea — A devastating fire tore through a battery manufacturing factory in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, claiming the lives of at least 16 people on Monday, with authorities fearing the death toll could climb past 20. The blaze, which erupted shortly after 10:30 a.m., was brought under control by the afternoon, but not before unleashing a trail of destruction and panic.
Emergency services rushed to the scene as the fire broke out on the second level of Aricell’s three-story lithium primary battery plant, prompting an exhaustive search and rescue operation. Firefighters battled to contain the flames, which were intensified by multiple explosions within the facility, housing approximately 35,000 lithium batteries.
It was later revealed that a majority of the individuals unaccounted for are foreign nationals. By late afternoon, rescue teams had been able to confirm the status of several people previously reported missing, although efforts continued into the evening.
The local fire and disaster department, which escalated the incident to a level 2 emergency response, orchestrated a comprehensive response, drawing in firefighting teams from multiple jurisdictions to manage the calamity. This designation is reserved for severe incidents that surpass the capabilities of local fire stations.
Among the victims was a South Korean man in his 60s, an employee of the factory, who initially escaped the flames but succumbed to severe injuries sustained during the ordeal. Additionally, the fire resulted in injuries to at least six other individuals, highlighting the severe human cost of the disaster.
Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min visited the disaster site to oversee the response efforts. He had earlier emphasized the need for collaboration among various agencies and regional governments to prevent further loss of life. He directed emergency teams and equipment to focus on extinguishing the fire completely and rescuing any survivors.
The factory, located approximately 62 kilometers south of Seoul in the small town of Seosin-myeon, was known for producing lithium batteries, which are typically used in various electronic devices and have been known to pose significant risks if they malfunction or are not stored properly.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, with initial reports suggesting that the origin could be related to the batteries’ volatile nature. Authorities are scrutinizing whether safety protocols were followed, especially considering the scale of the fire and the number of casualties.
This tragedy has cast a spotlight on the broader issue of safety standards within industrial facilities in South Korea, particularly those dealing with potentially hazardous materials. It raises questions about the adequacy of current regulations and enforcement measures, and whether more stringent controls are necessary to prevent such disasters in the future.
In the aftermath, the community and families of the affected workers are left to deal with the grief and fallout from one of the deadliest industrial disasters in the region in recent years. The government has pledged to support those impacted and to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure such a tragedy does not occur again.