Any fire can be dangerous. But in a battery factory, explosion is a major risk. A Monday fire in South Korea killed 23 workers and injured eight, officials say. Exploding batteries likely sparked the blaze.
The fire and a series of explosions ripped through a building owned by battery maker Aricell. The factory is part of an industrial area in Hwaseong, south of the country’s capital, Seoul.
Workers were examining and packaging lithium batteries. Such batteries are used in electric vehicles, cell phones, laptops, and other personal electronics. Officials believe some of the batteries exploded.
The blaze began around 10:30 a.m. on the second floor. Authorities say the factory probably housed about 35,000 batteries.
According to Korean news agency Yonhap, the fire burned for more than four hours before firefighters could contain it.
In the past few decades, many people from China migrated to South Korea for jobs. Like other foreign migrants from Southeast Asian nations, many end up in factories or in physically demanding and low-paying jobs shunned by more wealthy South Koreans. Most of those who died in the fire were migrant workers.
Fire official Kim Jin-young says 102 people were working at the factory before the fire began. He says the 23 victims likely couldn’t find the exit. He says authorities will investigate whether there were fire extinguishing systems at the site and if they worked.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min visited the site later Monday. Han asked officials to provide government assistance for funeral services and support programs for victims’ relatives.
TV footage also showed President Yoon Suk Yeol, wearing a safety helmet and a mask, visiting the site with other officials.
South Korea has struggled for decades to improve safety standards. Officials in the country also work to change common attitudes that treat safety as less important than economic progress and convenience.
Monday’s blaze is one of the deadliest in South Korea in recent years. Fire officials say they plan to investigate the exact cause of the blaze.
Pray for those who lost loved ones in the fire. Ask God to give officials wisdom as they seek to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. — Romans 12:15
