At least 16 individuals lost their lives in a massive explosion that ignited a lithium battery factory in South Korea on Monday.
The incident has led to an ongoing search and rescue mission for five missing persons, as reported by Reuters.
The blaze, now mostly contained, erupted at a facility operated by battery manufacturer Aricell in Hwaseong, an industrial hub located roughly 90 minutes southwest of Seoul.
A local fire official, Kim Jin-young, explained that the fire was triggered by a series of battery cell explosions within a warehouse housing approximately 35,000 units.
The exact cause of the explosions is still unknown.
Witnesses observed firefighters recovering up to six bodies from the factory.
The intensity of the fire has made it challenging to identify the deceased, according to Kim.
Initially, Yonhap news agency reported that around 20 bodies had been found, but Kim clarified in a televised briefing that 16 people had died, with two others sustaining severe burns and injuries.
Rescuers are currently searching the factory for the five missing individuals.
Professor Kim Jae-ho from Daejeon University, an expert in Fire and Disaster Prevention, suggested that the rapid spread of the fire likely hindered the workers’ ability to escape.
He noted, “Battery materials such as nickel are easily flammable. So often, there is not enough time to respond, compared to a fire caused by other materials.”
President Yoon Suk Yeol is closely monitoring the situation, according to his office.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Lee Sang-min has urged local authorities to prevent any hazardous chemicals from contaminating the environment.
Founded in 2020, Aricell produces lithium primary batteries for sensors and radio communication devices.
The company employs 48 people, based on its latest regulatory filing and LinkedIn profile. Attempts to contact Aricell offices have gone unanswered.
Although Aricell is not publicly listed on South Korea’s stock market, it is primarily owned by S-Connect, as indicated in an Aricell regulatory filing. S-Connect, which is listed on the junior Kosdaq index, saw its shares drop by 22.5%.
Televised footage showed firefighters dousing the damaged steel and concrete structure, with parts of the upper level having collapsed and significant portions of the building appearing to have been blasted out into the street.
South Korea, a major industrial nation, has been striving to enhance its safety record following several past accidents often attributed to negligence.
