Fire at South Korean battery factory kills 22

According to Yonhap news agency, as of the evening of June 24, South Korean firefighters had found 22 bodies at the site of a lithium battery factory fire in Hwaseong, south of Seoul, the same morning. The death toll may rise.

Fire scene. Photo: Yonhap

Of the victims, 20 are believed to be foreign nationals, including 18 Chinese, 1 Laotian and 1 victim of unknown nationality. Currently, Korean authorities have not been able to determine the exact number of people present at the factory at the time of the fire, as the lists of full-time and part-time workers have been burned.

The fire broke out at 10:30 a.m. local time on June 24 at the Aricell battery factory, which covers an area of ​​2,300 square ^meters in Hwaseong City, 45 kilometers south of Seoul. At 3:00 p.m. the same day, firefighters were able to control the fire, enter the fire area, and discover the bodies.

The cause of the incident has not been determined.

Fire scene. Photo: Yonhap

According to the fire brigade, the fire spread rapidly due to the continuous explosion of battery cells inside, making it difficult for rescuers to enter to search for survivors. At the time of the fire, there were believed to be at least 35,000 batteries in the factory.

On the same afternoon, the Korean Government convened an emergency meeting at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to discuss measures to minimize casualties from the disaster.

Fire trucks arrive at the scene. Photo: Yonhap

Earlier, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol instructed Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min to make every effort to organize the search and rescue of the missing people by mobilizing all available manpower and equipment.

SOUTH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/chay-nha-may-pin-han-quoc-22-nguoi-thiet-mang-post746088.html