South Korea: Over 20 Killed in Factory Fire
More than 20 people were killed in a massive fire that engulfed a lithium battery factory in South Korea on Monday, authorities reported.
The factory is owned by “Aresel,” a leading South Korean battery manufacturer, and is located in Hwaseong, south of the capital Seoul.
Hours after the fire broke out, a firefighting official told the media, “We are still unable to enter and conduct rescue operations, and we will do so as soon as the fire is under control.”
He added, “21 people are still missing, and we will work to locate them based on the information we receive from the company.”
Footage published by South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency showed thick smoke billowing into the sky above the factory while flames raged inside the building. Dozens of firefighting vehicles were seen in front of the factory.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol issued emergency instructions to the authorities, calling for “mobilizing all personnel and equipment to focus on searching for and rescuing individuals.”
The president also emphasized that authorities bear the responsibility to “ensure the safety of the firefighters given the rapid spread of the fire.”
Efforts by firefighting and rescue teams are ongoing, and the cause of the fire is still unknown.
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It is noteworthy that South Korea is one of the largest producers of batteries, especially those used in electric vehicles. Its factories supply batteries to electric vehicle manufacturers worldwide, including Tesla.
