News24 | 1 dead, 21 ‘unaccounted for’ in South Korea battery plant fire

A major fire broke out at a South Korean lithium battery factory on 24 June 2024 and killed at least 16 people. (Yonhap/AFP)

 A fire broke out at a lithium battery factory in South Korea on Monday, killing at least 16 people and five others remain missing, local fire officials said.

The lithium battery plant is owned by Aricell, a South Korean primary battery manufacturer. It is located in Hwaseong, just south of the capital Seoul.

The fire, which has largely been extinguished, occurred at around 10:30.

The blaze began after a series of battery cells exploded inside a warehouse with some 35 000 units, said Kim Jin-young, a local fire official. What had triggered the explosion remains unclear, he added.

Yonhap news agency had earlier reported that some 20 bodies had been found inside the plant, but Kim told a televised briefing that 16 people died and two others have suffered serious injuries.

He said rescuers were trying to find the five people unaccounted for.

A Reuters witness saw firefighters moving up to six bodies out of the factory, which his located in an industrial area.

Images shared by the Yonhap news agency showed huge plumes of billowing grey smoke rising into the sky above the factory, with orange flames inside the building. Dozens of fire engines were seen outside.

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South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol issued emergency instructions to authorities, telling them to “mobilise all available personnel and equipment to focus on searching for and rescuing people,” his office said.

The president also warned authorities that they should “ensure the safety of fire fighters considering the rapid spread of fire”.

Firefighting and rescue efforts were ongoing, and the cause of the fire was unknown.

South Korea is a major producer of batteries, including those used in electric vehicles.

Its battery makers supply EV makers around the world, including Tesla.

This story has been updated. Additional reporting by Reuters.