News
Daejeon Auto Parts Plant Fire Kills 14, Injures Dozens
A fire following an explosion at a car parts factory in Daejeon, South Korea, killed 14 people and injured 59 on Friday, March 20. Rescue workers recovered the remains of the deceased on Saturday, March 21.
More than 500 firefighters, police, and emergency personnel responded to the blaze. The fire occurred at a factory owned by Anjun Industrial. According to Daedeok district fire chief Nam Deuk-woo, the fire obliterated a factory building that firefighters initially could not enter due to concerns about potential collapse. Firefighters deployed robots to cool the structure and perform a safety inspection before beginning the search for missing workers on Friday. Nine of the deceased were found in a third-floor gym, and three were located near a second-floor water tank. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung visited the site on Saturday to meet with victims' families and discuss safety precautions.
Key Facts
- Fourteen people died in the factory fire.
- Fifty-nine people sustained injuries.
- The fire followed an explosion at the car parts plant in Daejeon.
- The fire ignited on Friday, March 20.
- The remains of the deceased were recovered on Saturday, March 21.
- Nine of the deceased were located in a gym.
- Three of the deceased were found near a water tank.
- Over 500 emergency personnel responded to the fire.
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Research Sources
- Daily Star — 14 dead and 59 injured in factory explosion as 500 firefighters tackle blaze