A devastating fire at a lithium battery plant in South Korea has claimed the lives of at least 22 individuals and left eight others injured. The blaze broke out at a factory in Hwaseong, located 45km south of Seoul, operated by Aricell, a South Korean battery maker.
The fire started around 10:30am and was brought under control by authorities shortly after 3pm. According to authorities, among the deceased were 18 Chinese workers, one Laotian worker, and several others whose nationalities have not yet been determined. The cause of the fire was determined to be battery cells exploding inside the warehouse on the plant premises.
Firefighter Kim stated that there were over 100 workers on site at the time, with around two dozen still unaccounted for. In response to the tragedy, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has directed authorities to utilize all available resources to search for and rescue any individuals who may still be trapped. The public in Hwaseong was urged to remain indoors and keep windows closed due to the thick smoke emanating from the fire.
Lithium batteries are commonly used in electronic devices and electric vehicles, but they also pose a risk of explosion or fire if they overheat or are damaged. South Korea is a prominent hub for the production and export of lithium batteries, with major industry players including LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On operating within the country.
