The fire broke out in the early hours of Monday, at around 10:30 a.m. at a factory run by battery manufacturer Aricell in Hwaseong.

A devastating fire erupted on Monday at a lithium battery manufacturing factory near South Korea’s capital, resulting in a tragic loss of life and leaving many others injured or missing.

The incident occurred in Hwaseong city, just south of Seoul, at a factory operated by the battery manufacturer Aricell.

Officials have reported at least nine people dead, four injured, and 15 others missing following the incident in Hwaseong city, just south of Seoul. While Yonhap News , the South Korean news agency, reported that around 20 bodies were discovered .

Initially, the fire was reported to have claimed one life and left four individuals injured, two of whom are in critical condition.

Early morning disaster

The fire broke out in the early hours of Monday, at around 10:30 a.m., at the factory, which is run by battery manufacturer Aricell in Hwaseong.

Local fire official Kim Jin-young announced during a televised briefing that eight additional bodies were found within the factory, raising the death toll to nine.

“Most of the missing people were foreign nationals, including Chinese,” Kim stated, as reported by ABC News . The search efforts continue as officials work tirelessly to locate the remaining 15 individuals.

According to Kim, the mobile phone signals of the missing persons have been traced to the second floor of the factory, providing a crucial lead for rescue teams.

When the fire started, 102 workers were reported to be inside the factory. The massive emergency response was deployed to contain the blaze, which posed significant challenges due to the nature of lithium battery fires. These fires burn intensely and are difficult to control with standard fire extinguishers.

Investigation and emergency response

As South Korean media outlets cover the unfolding events, reports indicate that much of the blaze has been extinguished. However, the exact cause of the fire remains unknown.

The factory, a significant player in the production of lithium batteries, is now the focus of a comprehensive investigation.

“A rescue team has gone inside and is carrying out search and rescue operations,” Kim said, as reported by Voice of America .

Authorities deployed the second-highest level of emergency response, with at least 145 firefighters working to contain the blaze amid concerns that the casualty count could increase.

President Yoon Suk Yeol issued emergency orders to “mobilize all available personnel and equipment to focus on searching for and rescuing people.”

Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min also instructed relevant government agencies and local authorities to deploy all available resources and personnel to extinguish the fire and rescue survivors.

The large factory had about 35,000 battery cells stored on the second floor, with more in other areas. Given the intense and hard-to-control nature of lithium battery fires, the emergency response teams faced significant hurdles in their efforts.

South Korea’s role in global battery production

South Korea is a leading producer of lithium batteries, which are crucial components in electric vehicles (EVs) and other high-tech applications. The country’s battery manufacturers supply major EV makers worldwide, including Tesla.

This incident underscores the risks associated with lithium battery production, highlighting the need for stringent safety measures in such facilities.

In addition to its prominence in battery production, South Korea is one of the world’s largest producers of high-end semiconductors. The government has heavily invested in key technologies, including displays and batteries, to maintain its competitive edge in the global market.

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