Daejeon: Ten people have been confirmed dead and four remain missing following a significant fire at an auto parts plant in Daejeon, as reported by local authorities on Saturday. Additionally, 59 individuals sustained injuries ranging from serious to minor.
According to Yonhap News Agency, firefighters have been actively searching for the four missing individuals since the blaze began. The bodies of the victims were discovered within the factory, with one found on the second floor and nine others on the third floor, authorities confirmed.
The incident occurred while 170 workers were present in the plant at approximately 1:17 p.m. on Friday. Firefighting efforts faced initial delays due to the risk of structural collapse and the presence of 200 kilograms of sodium, which posed an explosion hazard if not properly managed.
Authorities initiated overnight search operations at about 10:50 p.m. on Friday, after experts assessed the building's safety for entry. The rescue teams are committed to locating those still unaccounted for, as stated by an official involved in the operation.
The official emphasized that structures previously examined by rescue dogs will be dismantled to allow rescue workers to conduct thorough searches for the missing individuals.