Additional Coverage:
- At least 14 people killed in massive fire at South Korean car parts factory, officials say (nbcnews.com)
Tragic Blaze Engulfs South Korean Auto Parts Plant, Leaving 14 Dead
DAEJEON, South Korea – A devastating fire, believed to have been sparked by an explosion, ripped through an auto parts factory in the central city of Daejeon, South Korea, claiming the lives of 14 individuals. Rescue workers on Saturday painstakingly recovered the remains from the charred wreckage, as authorities continue to search for four still-missing employees.
The inferno, which ignited Friday afternoon, also left at least 59 people injured, with 25 reportedly in serious condition. While officials have not yet confirmed if any injuries are life-threatening, the scale of the tragedy is immense.
Over 500 firefighters, police, and emergency personnel were deployed to the scene to battle the blaze and conduct rescue operations. Haunting videos and photos from the site depicted thick gray smoke billowing from the complex, with some desperate workers seen jumping from the burning building in an attempt to escape.
Nam Deuk-woo, the fire chief for Daejeon’s Daedeok district, stated that the fire completely destroyed a factory building that firefighters initially could not enter due to fears of structural collapse. Searches for the missing workers commenced late Friday after unmanned firefighting robots were deployed to cool the structure and a safety inspection was conducted.
The remains of one victim were discovered on the second floor, while nine others were found in what is believed to have been a gym on the third floor. Chief Nam indicated that all accessible areas had been searched by Saturday morning, and the remaining four missing individuals are likely trapped beneath collapsed debris.
Further safety inspections are planned before crews can attempt to remove the rubble and continue the search. Police have identified one of the deceased, with genetic testing underway for the other nine.
The fire was reported around 1:18 p.m. on Friday. While the exact cause remains under investigation, Chief Nam noted that the blaze appeared to spread rapidly, with witnesses reporting an explosion.
Firefighters prioritized preventing the inferno from spreading to an adjacent facility and isolating explosive chemicals. Over 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of highly reactive chemicals were recovered from the site.
Many injuries were sustained by individuals jumping from the building to escape the flames, while others suffered from smoke inhalation. As of Saturday morning, 28 people were hospitalized, with four undergoing surgeries for broken bones and other serious injuries.
The coordinated response to the disaster involved approximately 120 vehicles and specialized equipment, including aircraft, an unmanned water cannon vehicle, and two firefighting robots designed for hard-to-reach areas, alongside hundreds of personnel. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called for the full mobilization of resources to contain the fire and support ongoing rescue operations.