11 Dead, Dozens Injured in Massive Fire at South Korean Car Parts Plant

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Seoul: Rescuers searched through the charred remains of a car parts factory in Daejeon on Saturday after a devastating fire killed at least 11 people, injured dozens and left three missing, authorities said.

The blaze broke out around 1:00pm on Friday while approximately 170 workers were inside the facility. Firefighters initially struggled to access the site due to fears the structure could collapse, complicating rescue efforts.

Emergency response teams also faced additional risks from sodium stored at the plant, which can trigger explosions if mishandled, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Officials confirmed that 11 people were killed, 25 sustained serious injuries, and 34 others were hurt with minor injuries. Three individuals remain unaccounted for as search operations continue.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, though a witness reported hearing an explosion before flames rapidly engulfed the facility. Thick black smoke billowed into the sky as firefighters battled the blaze using water cannons from cranes. The fire was brought under control by Saturday afternoon.

Lee Jae Myung has instructed authorities to deploy all available resources for rescue and recovery efforts, his office said.

The incident has once again highlighted concerns over industrial safety in South Korea. Official data shows more than 10,000 workers have died in workplace accidents between 2000 and 2024.

In a previous major case, a 2024 fire at a lithium battery factory in Hwaseong killed 22 people, prompting stricter scrutiny of safety practices in the country’s industrial sector.