At least 11 people died in a fire at a South Korean auto parts factory, authorities said Saturday, as rescue operations continued to search for missing workers.
The remains of the 11th victim were pulled from the charred wreckage of the plant around noon Saturday, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported, citing authorities.
A fire that broke out in downtown Daejeon on Friday left at least 59 people injured, including two firefighters. Of these, 25 are seriously injured, while 34 have suffered minor injuries.
Some people were injured when they jumped from the building to escape the flames, while others suffered smoke inhalation, officials said. Four have since undergone surgery for broken bones or other injuries, the AP reported.
Three others remain missing and search and rescue operations are underway to locate them, with officials now using heavy equipment to clear the debris.
What we know about the deadly fire in Daejeon
A total of 170 workers were inside the auto parts factory in Daejeon when the fire broke out around 1:17 p.m. local time on Friday.
While firefighters rushed to the scene, they were initially unable to enter the building due to concerns about structural integrity and possible collapse.
Firefighters’ efforts were also complicated by the presence of 200 kilograms of sodium inside the building, which could explode if mishandled.
As the fire grew, about 120 vehicles and pieces of equipment were pressed into service to bring it under control, the AP reported. Aircraft, an unmanned water cannon vehicle and two firefighting robots were among the resources used to bring the fire under control.
It took firefighters about 10 hours and 30 minutes to completely extinguish the fire, Yonhap reported, citing authorities.
While the cause of the fire is unknown, it appears to have spread quickly and witnesses reported an explosion. The investigation is expected to reveal more details.
President Lee Jae Myung called for the full mobilization of personnel and equipment to support the ongoing rescue operations.
