Tragedy in South Korea 20 Bodies Discovered in Battery Factory Blaze, Authorities Report

Photo : Reuters

A tragic incident unfolded at a lithium battery factory in Hwaseong, South Korea, where approximately 20 bodies have been discovered following a devastating fire on Monday. Initial reports from Yonhap news agency indicated that over 100 people were present in the factory when explosions were heard from the second floor, designated for inspecting and packaging lithium-ion batteries.

Firefighter Kim Jin-young stated that while 78 individuals have been confirmed safe, many remain unaccounted for. Rescue operations were hindered initially due to fears of further explosions and the intense burning caused by lithium batteries, which are notoriously difficult to extinguish with water.

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"After managing to contain the largest fire, our teams are now conducting search and rescue efforts inside the building," Kim informed the media. Images released by Yonhap showed massive plumes of grey smoke billowing into the sky and flames engulfing parts of the factory, with numerous fire engines deployed at the scene.

The factory, owned by Aricell, housed an estimated 35,000 battery cells on the second floor alone, alongside additional batteries stored elsewhere. Lithium batteries are known for their combustible nature, necessitating unconventional firefighting methods such as the use of dry sand.

President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea issued urgent directives for authorities to mobilize all available resources for the rescue operation and to ensure the safety of firefighters battling the blaze, which had rapidly spread through the facility. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Residents of Hwaseong were advised to stay indoors due to heavy smoke emanating from the factory, with authorities issuing alerts urging precautionary measures. South Korea, a significant player in battery production for electric vehicles and other industries, has invested heavily in technology sectors like semiconductors and displays.

The incident underscores the inherent risks associated with lithium battery manufacturing and the challenges faced by emergency responders in controlling such fires.

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