Three dead after explosion triggers factory fire in South Korea

Three people were killed and two others injured after an explosion triggered a fire at a factory producing paint ingredients in the South Korean city of Cheonan on Friday, August 28, officials said.

The fire broke out at 11:44 a.m. at a raw-materials production facility operated by Daewon Sanup, according to the South Chungcheong provincial firefighting headquarters, cited by local media.

Firefighters found one victim near the blaze and two others inside the factory. The first victim was identified as a worker in her 70s employed at the plant’s cafeteria, while the other two were believed to be foreign workers at the facility.

A 30-something Indonesian national suffered burns in the fire. A firefighter also sustained a hand injury after being struck by a falling object.

Police and fire authorities plan to search the facility for additional victims once the blaze has been completely extinguished.

Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung ordered officials to mobilize all available personnel and resources for rescue and firefighting operations, according to his office.

By Tamilla Hasanova