Inferno Rages at South Korean Lithium Battery Factory, Leaving Casualties

A devastating fire at a lithium battery manufacturing plant near Seoul, South Korea, has claimed the lives of at least 16 people, leaving seven injured and six missing.

The tragedy unfolded on Monday at a factory in Hwaseong city, just south of Seoul. Rescue workers worked tirelessly to retrieve bodies after combing through the charred remains of the facility. Local fire official Kim Jin-young confirmed the grim toll in a televised briefing.

According to Kim, most of the missing individuals are believed to be foreign nationals, particularly Chinese. The search for survivors continues, with rescue teams tracking the mobile phone signals of the missing to the second floor of the factory.

Inferno Rages at South Korean Lithium Battery Factory, Leaving Casualties

Initial reports indicate that the fire started with a violent explosion in the battery production area. Kim noted that witnesses reported workers examining and packaging batteries when the blast occurred. Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the inferno.

Kim expressed concern over the fate of those trapped in the factory. He stated that the deceased likely perished due to being unable to escape through the ground-floor stairs. The effectiveness of fire extinguishing systems will also be a subject of investigation.

Inferno Rages at South Korean Lithium Battery Factory, Leaving Casualties

A total of 102 workers were present at the factory at the time of the fire. President Yoon Suk Yeol has ordered officials to deploy all available resources to locate and rescue any survivors.

The incident has cast a pall over South Korea, where lithium battery manufacturing is a key industry. The fire has raised questions about safety protocols and the potential risks associated with battery production.

As of now, seven individuals have been confirmed injured, while the search for the missing six continues. The authorities are working diligently to support the victims and investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.