In a devastating incident in Hwaseong, South Korea, more than 20 bodies have been recovered from the site of a fire at the Aricell factory, a producer of primary batteries. The blaze erupted in Building 3 of the factory, which reportedly housed approximately 35,000 finished lithium batteries.
The fire began around 10:31 AM on the morning of June 24, leading to a swift and intense response from emergency services. Given the presence of hazardous chemicals and the risk of the fire spreading further, authorities quickly elevated the response to Level 2. This level of alert mobilized a significant force, including 145 firefighters, 50 fire engines, and other equipment, to combat the flames.
By 3 PM, after several hours of battling the blaze, firefighters had gained control over the major flames and commenced a thorough search inside the building. During this search, they discovered over 20 bodies. These victims are believed to include the majority of the 23 workers who were earlier reported missing and with whom contact had been lost during the incident.
A representative on-site confirmed the grim discovery but noted that the full extent of the casualties would only be known once the search operation was fully concluded. The exact number of missing persons could also change as investigations continue.
In a statement, the Hwaseong Fire Department reiterated that 23 people were still officially unaccounted for. However, the count might fluctuate as more information becomes available.
Meanwhile, authorities continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as they gather more information about this heartbreaking incident.
Source: Maeil News
