Rescue teams have recovered the bodies of 14 individuals from the destroyed remains of an automotive parts factory. The tragic fire occurred in Daejeon, a central city, on Saturday, March 21. The factory experienced an explosion, leading to a fire that left at least 59 individuals injured, as reported by AP.
According to fire officials, 25 individuals sustained severe injuries, although their critical condition remains uncertain. Following the ignition of the fire on Friday afternoon, over 500 firefighters, police officers, and emergency responders were mobilized to manage the fire and conduct rescue operations.
Images and footage from the location depict dense grey smoke emanating from the facility, with some workers seen jumping from a structure owned by Anjun Industrial. Nam Deuk-woo, the fire chief of Daedeok district, mentioned that the fire razed a factory building that initial responders couldn’t enter due to structural safety concerns.
The search for missing workers began late on Friday after the deployment of unmanned firefighting robots to cool the premises and conduct safety inspections. The deceased include nine individuals found in what is believed to be a gym on the third floor and three near a water tank on the second floor. All missing persons have now been located.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung visited the site on Saturday afternoon, meeting with victims’ families and urging the implementation of safety protocols to prevent structural collapse during search efforts. The fire was reported around 1:18 p.m. on Friday, with the cause still under investigation, although witnesses reported a rapid spread of the blaze, potentially triggered by an explosion.
Efforts were focused on containing the fire to prevent it from engulfing neighboring facilities and securing hazardous chemicals. Workers retrieved over 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of volatile substances from the site. Several individuals sustained injuries from jumping to safety or inhaling smoke, with 28 individuals hospitalized as of Saturday morning, four of whom underwent surgeries for fractures and other injuries.
A considerable deployment of around 120 vehicles and equipment, including aircraft and specialized firefighting machinery, along with numerous personnel, was coordinated for the extensive rescue operation.