At least 10 people have been confirmed dead and 59 others injured after a massive fire, believed to have been triggered by an explosion, tore through an auto parts factory in Daejeon, South Korea. Rescue teams are continuing operations to locate four individuals who remain missing.
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, 25 of the injured sustained serious injuries, although officials have not yet clarified whether any are in critical condition. The fire broke out on Friday afternoon, prompting a large-scale emergency response involving more than 500 personnel, including firefighters, police officers, and rescue workers.
Visuals from the site showed thick plumes of grey smoke rising from the factory complex, with some workers seen jumping from the building in an attempt to escape the flames. The intensity of the blaze caused severe structural damage, making it initially unsafe for firefighters to enter due to the risk of collapse.
Nam Deuk-woo, fire chief of Daedeok district, stated that the building was extensively destroyed. Search operations for the missing began later after authorities deployed unmanned firefighting robots to cool down the structure and ensure it was stable enough for entry.
The fire was first reported at approximately 1:18 pm local time. While the exact cause is still under investigation, early indications suggest that an explosion may have triggered the blaze, which then spread rapidly. Firefighters prioritised preventing the fire from reaching nearby facilities and worked to remove hazardous materials from the site. More than 100 kilograms of highly reactive chemicals were recovered during the operation.
Several injuries occurred as workers attempted to escape, either by jumping from the building or due to smoke inhalation. Emergency services deployed around 120 vehicles and specialised equipment, including aircraft, unmanned water cannon systems, and robotic units designed for hazardous environments.
President Lee Jae Myung has called for the full mobilisation of resources to manage the situation, ensure the fire is completely contained, and support ongoing rescue and relief efforts.
