South Korea factory fire kills 14, injures dozens in Daejeon

Fourteen people were killed and at least 25 others seriously injured in a fire at a car parts factory in the central South Korean city of Daejeon, authorities said on March 21. An additional 35 people suffered minor injuries.

The blaze broke out around lunchtime on March 20 and was fully contained by 11:48 p.m. local time (1448 GMT), according to the Ministry of Interior and Safety. Firefighters reported finding one victim on the first floor, four on the second floor, and nine on the third, Reuters reports.

The factory, operated by Anjun Industrial, produces engine valves and supplies major automakers including Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp, according to the company’s website. Reuters was unable to reach the company for comment.

In a statement posted online, Anjun CEO Sohn Ju-hwan expressed condolences and said the company would “fully cooperate with authorities, investigate the cause of the accident, review safety systems and inspections, and implement all necessary measures to prevent a recurrence.”

The South Korean government activated a centralised disaster management system after President Lee Jae Myung ordered all available resources to be mobilised to fight the fire and rescue affected workers.

By Sabina Mammadli