South Korea: Massive Fire at Auto Parts Factory Kills 10 Workers, 59 Injured

South Korea: A fire in an auto parts factory in South Korea's Daejeon city on Friday killed 10 people; 59 are injured and 4 people are still reported missing. Rescue teams are trying to rescue people trapped under the debris, but the situation is very difficult.

What is the number of injured and what is their condition?

According to officials, a total of 59 people were injured. Of these, 25 are in critical condition. Most of them suffered breathing problems from smoke, burn injuries or injuries caused by jumping from the building.They have been kept in the ICU of the hospital. The remaining 34 have suffered minor injuries but are also in shock and trauma. Many people were injured trying to escape by jumping from windows.

Is anyone still missing?

4 people are still missing. Initially 14 people were reported missing, but 10 bodies have so far been recovered – mostly from the third floor (probably the break room or gym area). Rescue teams are continuously searching, but going inside is risky due to the weak structure of the building and poisonous gases. The concern is increasing as time passes.

What were the problems faced in the rescue?

Firefighters faced a lot of trouble. There was a danger of the building collapsing, making it difficult to enter inside. The biggest problem was about 200 kg of sodium (sodium metal) kept in the factory. It can explode and produce gas when it comes in contact with water. So water was used very carefully, delaying extinguishing the fire. Initially there were sounds like explosions, due to which the fire spread rapidly.

What did the government and officials do?

The president and the interior ministry responded immediately. The National Fire Agency issued a Level 2 emergency and national mobilization order. More than 80 fire vehicles, hundreds of soldiers, helicopters and special teams were sent to the spot. The injured have been admitted to Changnam University Hospital and other major hospitals.

What was the cause of the fire?

The exact reason is not known yet. The investigation is ongoing, but initial reports suggest an explosion – perhaps caused by sodium or some chemical reaction. The fire broke out around 1:17 pm and spread rapidly.
This incident is heart-wrenching. It is hoped that the remaining missing people are found soon, the injured recover soon and the investigation improves safety. This again reminds us how important risk management is in such factories.