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South Korea Auto Plant Fire Kills 14, President Lee Visits Site

A major fire at an automobile parts plant in Daejeon, South Korea, has resulted in at least 14 fatalities and 59 injuries. President Lee Jae Myung visited the disaster site and a hospital to inspect relief efforts and meet with victims and their families. The fire, which took over ten hours to extinguish, was complicated by the presence of explosive materials and structural collapse risks. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the rapidly spreading blaze while continuing search operations.

Key Points: South Korea Auto Parts Plant Fire: 14 Dead, President Lee Visits

  • 14 dead in factory blaze
  • 59 injured including firefighters
  • 170 workers inside at time of fire
  • Hazardous materials complicated rescue
  • Cause of fire still unknown
2 min read

South Korea auto parts plant fire: Death toll climbs to 14, Lee inspects site

A deadly fire at a South Korean auto parts plant kills 14, injures 59. President Lee Jae Myung visits the site and hospital to meet victims.

"urged fire authorities to take measures to prevent additional safety incidents - Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung"

Seoul, March 21

South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday visited the site of a fire at an automobile parts plant in the central city of Daejeon to inspect relief efforts and meet with bereaved families and victims.

Lee made the visit a day after the blaze, which left at least 14 people dead and 59 others injured, including two firefighters, reports Yonhap news agency.

He was briefed on the casualties and ongoing disaster response, and urged fire authorities to take measures to prevent additional safety incidents, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing.

Lee also met with bereaved families and instructed authorities to provide regular updates on the cause of the fire and relief efforts, while ensuring proper support for the victims and their families.

He later visited a nearby hospital to meet with those injured in the incident.

A total of 170 workers were inside the plant when the fire was reported at around 1:17 p.m. on Friday.

Firefighters were earlier unable to enter the structure due to concerns that it could collapse. Also complicating the firefighting effort were 200 kilograms of sodium inside the building, which could explode if poorly handled.

The fire was fully extinguished after about 10 hours and 30 minutes, authorities said.

Fire officials are now using heavy equipment to remove debris as they continue searching for missing people.

The cause was not immediately known, but the blaze appeared to have spread rapidly, with witnesses reporting an explosion.

President Lee Jae Myung has called for the full mobilisation of personnel and equipment to contain the fire and support rescue operations.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
Very sad news. The presence of 200 kg of sodium is a major red flag. This highlights a global issue in manufacturing hubs, including places like Manesar or Chennai. Regular safety audits are not just paperwork, they save lives. Hope the investigation is thorough.
A
Aman W
Respect to the firefighters who were also injured. It's a tough job anywhere in the world. The building collapse risk and chemical hazard made it a nightmare scenario. Hope the missing are found soon.
S
Sarah B
While the President's visit is important for morale, it shouldn't just be a photo-op. The real test is in implementing the safety measures he's urging for. We see similar patterns after tragedies here—lots of promises, but will things actually change on the factory floor?
V
Vikram M
A fire lasting over 10 hours is devastating. The workers and their families are in my prayers. This is a stark reminder for all countries with strong manufacturing sectors, including India. Worker safety must come before profits. Jai Hind.
K
Kavya N
So many injured... 59 is a huge number. The hospital must be overwhelmed. Hope the victims get the best medical care and financial support from the company and government. No family should suffer financially after such a loss.

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