Rescuers searched through the charred remains of a car parts factory in Daejeon on Saturday after a devastating blaze killed at least 11 people and injured dozens more.
Fire crews initially struggled to enter the site due to fears of collapse and the presence of sodium, which can explode if mishandled. Around 170 workers were inside when the fire broke out at 1:00 pm Friday.
Authorities confirmed 11 fatalities, 25 serious injuries, 34 minor injuries, and three people still missing. The cause remains unclear, though witnesses reported hearing an explosion.
Images showed cranes spraying water as thick black smoke billowed into the sky. The fire was extinguished by Saturday afternoon.
President Lee Jae Myung ordered all available resources to be mobilized for rescue efforts and reiterated calls for stronger worker protections.
The tragedy follows last year’s lithium battery factory fire in Hwaseong, which killed 22 people and led to a 15-year prison sentence for the company’s CEO after a court ruled profit was prioritized over safety.
