A massive fire at the Aricell lithium battery factory in Hwaseong, South Korea, has tragically claimed the lives of at least 20 individuals, with 21 more still unaccounted for. The blaze, which erupted on Monday around 10:30 local time, has proven difficult to contain due to the explosive nature of the 35,000 lithium batteries stored within the facility. Firefighters and rescue personnel have been dispatched in large numbers, with 50 fire trucks and 150 responders at the scene, but their efforts are being hampered by ongoing explosions and the release of toxic gases.The missing individuals are reported to include foreign nationals, with Chinese workers among them. The South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has issued directives to ensure the safety of the firefighters and to prioritize search and rescue operations. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but the rapid spread has raised concerns about the safety protocols in place at the factory, which had a total of 102 employees before the disaster. Images released by Yonhap news agency show gray smoke billowing from the ravaged building, a stark reminder of the severity of the situation. As the nation mourns the loss of life, the focus remains on locating the missing workers and investigating the cause of this catastrophic incident.
Key points
- At least 20 people have died in a fire at a lithium battery factory in Hwaseong, South Korea.
- 21 individuals are reported missing, and rescue operations are being complicated by explosions and toxic gas emissions from the batteries.
- Foreign nationals, including Chinese workers, are among the missing, and President Yoon Suk Yeol has mobilized all available resources for the rescue efforts.
Contradictions👾Some reports initially indicated one death, but later updates confirmed at least 20 fatalities.
👾The number of missing individuals varies between reports, with some stating 21 missing and others reporting 15 or 23.
