SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean rescue teams recovered the bodies of 14 individuals from the charred ruins of an auto parts factory in Daejeon on Saturday, following an explosion and subsequent fire that injured at least 59 others, reports Baltimore Chronicle via Associated Press. The inferno, which broke out Friday afternoon at the Anjun Industrial facility, prompted a massive emergency response involving more than 500 firefighters, police officers, and other personnel.
Fire officials reported that 25 of the injured were seriously hurt, though authorities have not yet confirmed whether any remain in critical condition. Eyewitnesses captured videos showing thick gray smoke billowing from the complex, while several workers were seen leaping from the factory building in an attempt to escape the flames. The structure had multiple floors, including a gym where nine of the victims were later found, while three others were discovered near a water tank on the second floor. The search for missing workers began late Friday after unmanned firefighting robots were deployed to stabilize the building and reduce the risk of collapse.
Nam Deuk-woo, fire chief of the Daedeok district, said that the fire quickly engulfed the factory and initially prevented firefighters from entering due to safety concerns. Investigators recovered over 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of highly reactive chemicals from the site, which were isolated to prevent further explosions. The fire reportedly started around 1:18 p.m. on Friday, though the exact cause remains under investigation. Some injuries occurred as workers jumped from upper floors, while others suffered smoke inhalation.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung visited the site on Saturday afternoon, meeting with the families of the deceased and calling for additional safety measures to prevent structural collapse during the ongoing investigation. As of Saturday morning, 28 patients remained hospitalized, with four undergoing surgeries for fractures and other injuries sustained during the evacuation. Authorities deployed around 120 vehicles and specialized equipment, including aircraft, unmanned water cannon vehicles, and two firefighting robots designed for hard-to-reach areas, to combat the fire and secure the surrounding facilities.
The Daejeon fire has drawn national attention to workplace safety protocols and the handling of hazardous materials, prompting renewed calls for stringent inspection procedures at industrial sites throughout South Korea.
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