Fourteen people were killed and 59 others injured in a fire at a car parts factory in Daejeon, authorities confirmed on Saturday, updating an earlier toll of 11 fatalities.
Around 170 workers were inside the central-city plant when the fire broke out at about 1:00 p.m. local time (0400 GMT) on Friday. Firefighters initially faced difficulties entering the building due to the risk of collapse and the presence of sodium, which can explode if mishandled, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The cause of the fire, which spread rapidly, has not been disclosed. Fire crews used cranes to douse the blaze while a thick column of black smoke filled the sky. The fire was fully extinguished by Saturday afternoon.
President Lee Jae Myung visited the site, met with victims’ families, and pledged government support. He also vowed a thorough investigation and measures to prevent similar incidents, stating on X, “The government will thoroughly investigate the cause of the incident and prepare fundamental measures to prevent such tragedies.”
South Korea has faced criticism over workplace safety, recording more than 10,000 worksite deaths between 2000 and 2024. In September 2024, the CEO of battery maker Aricell was sentenced to 15 years in prison after a lithium battery factory fire in Hwaseong killed 22 people, highlighting ongoing concerns over industrial safety.
