Industry – Deadly factory fire in Daejeon leaves casualties and missing workers
Industry – A devastating fire at an auto parts manufacturing facility in South Korea’s central city of Daejeon has claimed multiple lives, injured dozens, and left several workers unaccounted for, according to officials.
Casualties confirmed as search operations continue
Rescue teams recovered the remains of 10 individuals from the heavily damaged factory building on Saturday, a day after the blaze erupted. Authorities reported that at least 59 others were injured in the incident, with 25 suffering serious injuries. However, officials have not yet clarified whether any of the injured are in critical condition. Four workers remain missing, and efforts are ongoing to locate them.
Massive emergency response deployed
More than 500 personnel, including firefighters, police officers, and emergency responders, were mobilized shortly after the fire broke out on Friday afternoon. Crews worked through the night to bring the flames under control and to begin rescue operations under hazardous conditions.
Images and footage from the scene showed dense smoke rising from the industrial complex, while some workers were seen attempting to escape by jumping from upper floors of the building.
Structural damage hampered rescue efforts
Officials said the fire caused extensive damage to the factory structure, raising concerns about potential collapse. Firefighters initially struggled to enter the building due to safety risks. To manage the situation, unmanned firefighting robots were deployed to cool down the site before human teams could proceed with inspections and search operations.
According to local fire authorities, one victim was found on the second floor, while nine others were discovered on the third floor in an area believed to be used as a gym. As of Saturday morning, accessible sections of the building had been searched, but authorities suspect the remaining missing workers may be trapped under debris.
Identification process underway
Police have confirmed the identity of one of the deceased workers. For the remaining victims, forensic teams are conducting DNA analysis to establish identities. Officials emphasized that the identification process may take time due to the condition of the remains.
Possible cause linked to explosion
The fire was first reported at approximately 1:18 p.m. on Friday. While the exact cause is still under investigation, preliminary findings suggest that an explosion may have triggered the blaze. Witness accounts also indicated a sudden blast followed by rapid fire spread within the facility.
Authorities noted that the presence of hazardous materials inside the factory likely contributed to the intensity of the fire. Emergency crews managed to secure and remove over 100 kilograms of reactive chemicals to prevent further explosions and contain the situation.
Injuries include falls and smoke exposure
Many of the injured sustained harm while attempting to escape the building. Some jumped from heights, resulting in fractures and other trauma, while others were affected by smoke inhalation. By Saturday morning, 28 individuals remained hospitalized, with four undergoing surgery for serious injuries.
Advanced equipment used in firefighting
The response operation involved around 120 vehicles and specialized equipment, including aircraft, robotic firefighting units, and unmanned water cannons designed for hard-to-reach areas. These tools played a critical role in managing the fire and supporting rescue teams in dangerous zones.
Government calls for full-scale response
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung instructed authorities to deploy all available resources to control the fire and assist in rescue efforts. The government has also emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the incident and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Rescue teams are expected to continue operations in the coming days, focusing on clearing debris and locating the missing workers while ensuring the safety of personnel on site.