About 20 bodies were found in a lithium battery factory in South Korea, where a massive fire broke out on Monday, Yonhap News Agency reported, while fire brigades confirmed that they were continuing to search the building.
About 100 people were working inside the factory when they heard a series of explosions coming from the second floor where lithium batteries are being checked and packed, fire brigade official Kim Jin-young told media.
About 78 people were confirmed to have survived, while many are still missing. The official Yonhap News Agency reported that “about 20 bodies were found” at the site after relief teams were able to enter the building.
Kim told reporters that firefighting teams were able to extinguish the main fire in the factory and were removing bodies from the charred building.
He explained, “The rescue team entered the building and is conducting search and relief operations.”
Footage published by Yonhap Agency earlier showed columns of thick smoke rising into the sky above the factory while fires broke out inside the building. Dozens of fire engines were seen in front of the building.
The number of lithium batteries that were stored on the second floor of the factory is estimated at about 35,000, while other locations contain other quantities of batteries as well.
Lithium batteries burn quickly and it is difficult to control their flames with traditional firefighting methods.
“It was difficult to enter due to fears of other explosions,” Kim confirmed.
He explained, “Since the factory produces lithium batteries, we considered that spraying water would not put out the fire, so we are now using dry sand.”
Kim said earlier that most of the missing are foreigners, including Chinese.
South Korean media reported that a large portion of the fire had been extinguished.
The battery factory is owned by the South Korean “Aricel” group, the main battery manufacturer. It is located in Hwaseong, south of the capital, Seoul.
Lithium batteries are used in many products, from laptop computers to electric cars, but they are associated with the risk of explosion. In this context, airlines impose very strict procedures regarding checking devices that contain these batteries.
“Rally all employees”
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol issued emergency instructions to the authorities, requesting that “all personnel and equipment be mobilized to focus on searching and rescuing individuals.”
The country’s president also stressed that the authorities bear the responsibility “to ensure the safety of firefighters, given the rapid spread of fire.”
The efforts of firefighting and relief teams are continuing, while the cause of the fire is not yet known.
The authorities in Hwaseong issued a series of warnings to residents in the area, asking them to stay in their homes.
One phone alert said: “Thick smoke is spreading due to a fire in a factory. Please take care of your safety and refrain from going out.”
South Korea is a major producer of batteries, especially those used in electric cars.
Its factories supply batteries to electric vehicle manufacturers around the world, including Tesla.
South Korea is also one of the world’s largest semiconductor producers, and the government has made significant investments in key technologies such as batteries.
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