At least 14 people have died and dozens more were injured after a powerful explosion and fire tore through an auto parts factory in Daejeon, prompting a massive rescue operation by emergency services.
Authorities confirmed that the victims were recovered from the charred wreckage of a factory belonging to Anjun Industrial. The blast and resulting blaze injured at least 59 people, with 25 reported to be seriously hurt, though officials have not confirmed whether any remain in critical condition.
The fire broke out Friday afternoon, sending thick grey smoke into the sky as flames rapidly spread through the industrial complex. Witness footage showed workers attempting to escape the building, with some jumping from upper floors to avoid the fire.
According to local fire officials, the blaze destroyed a large factory building that firefighters initially could not enter due to fears it might collapse. Rescue teams began searching for missing workers late Friday after deploying unmanned firefighting robots to cool the structure and allow safety inspections.
Nine victims were found inside a gym area on the third floor of the building, while three others were discovered near a water tank on the second floor. Authorities later confirmed that all workers initially reported missing had been accounted for.
More than 500 firefighters, police officers, and emergency responders were mobilized to contain the fire and conduct rescue operations. Around 120 vehicles and pieces of equipment were deployed, including aircraft, a robotic water cannon vehicle, and specialized firefighting robots designed for hazardous environments.
Fire officials also revealed that responders recovered more than 100 kilograms of highly reactive chemicals from the site, raising concerns about further explosions and complicating firefighting efforts.
Lee Jae Myung visited the disaster scene on Saturday, meeting with relatives of the victims and urging authorities to ensure the damaged structure remains stable during ongoing operations.
Many of the injured suffered smoke inhalation, while others were hurt while trying to escape the burning building. As of Saturday morning, 28 people remained hospitalized, with several undergoing surgery for fractures and other serious injuries.
Investigators are now working to determine the cause of the explosion, as officials examine whether industrial chemicals or equipment failure may have triggered the deadly blaze.