At least 55 people were injured after a fire broke out at an auto parts factory in South Korea’s central city of Daejeon on Friday, with authorities warning the number could rise.
The National Fire Agency said 24 of the injured were in serious condition. Officials could not immediately confirm if any were in life-threatening danger.
Nam Deuk-woo, fire chief of Daejeon’s Daedeok district, said rescue teams were searching for at least 14 people believed to have been inside the facility when the blaze erupted.
Footage from the scene showed thick gray smoke rising from the complex, with some workers seen jumping from the building to escape.
The fire was reported at around 1:18 pm. While the exact cause remains unclear, officials said it likely spread quickly following an explosion reported by witnesses.
Nam said one factory building was destroyed, and firefighters were unable to enter due to fears of collapse. Efforts focused on stopping the flames from reaching nearby structures and removing hazardous materials from the site. Authorities said about 200 kilograms of highly reactive chemicals were stored at the facility.
Some of the injuries occurred when workers jumped to safety, while others suffered from smoke inhalation. Police were using mobile phone signals to trace the missing individuals.
More than 500 firefighters, police, and emergency responders were deployed, supported by around 120 vehicles, evacuation aircraft, and specialized equipment, including an unmanned water cannon and firefighting robots for hard-to-reach areas.
President Lee Jae Myung ordered full mobilization of resources to bring the fire under control and assist rescue efforts.
