Fire and explosion at Lithium-Battery Factory in South Korea kills 22 people

A fire broke out at the Aricell factory, a lithium primary battery manufacturer located in the Jeongok Industrial Complex in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, resulting in casualties.

On June 24, a fire at a lithium battery manufacturing plant in Seosin-myeon, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, resulted in 22 deaths and 8 injuries.

The fire, exacerbated by continuous explosions of lithium batteries inside the factory, has hindered entry and complicated firefighting and rescue efforts. There are also concerns that the building could collapse if the fire continues for an extended period. According to the Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters, the fire at the Aricell factory started around 10:31 AM. Aricell is known for manufacturing and supplying lithium batteries, specifically producing smart meters used in smart grids.

The factory comprises 11 three-story reinforced concrete buildings with a total floor area of 5,530 square meters and primarily handles hazardous chemicals, including lithium. A man in his 60s sustained full-body burns and was transported to the hospital in cardiac arrest, where he eventually passed away. The fire has also resulted in one person with severe injuries and five others with minor injuries, and the number of casualties is increasing.

Adding to the concern, 22 out of 67 employees who were working at the time are currently unaccounted for, raising fears of further casualties. The fire department revealed that among those who died, 20 were foreign workers, including one person from Laos, one unidentified person, and 18 people from China.

The fire reportedly started from a single lithium battery on the second floor of Building 3. With approximately 32,000 lithium batteries stored on the second floor, the flames are presumed to have spread rapidly. Lithium battery fires are difficult to extinguish with water, so firefighters prepared dry sand, but the intense flames and explosions have made it impossible to enter the building.

The fire department has issued a second-stage response alert, mobilizing 159 personnel and 63 pieces of equipment from multiple fire stations to concentrate on extinguishing the fire.

Even four hours after the fire started, sporadic explosions continued to occur, complicating firefighting efforts. A fire line has been established to monitor the situation. Once initial extinguishing efforts are successful, rescue teams will be deployed to search the interior and track the mobile phone locations of the unaccounted employees.

Kim Jin Young, the disaster prevention officer at Hwaseong Fire Station, stated, “It is estimated that around 67 people were working today, including regular and day labor workers, so the exact number of workers is not yet confirmed. According to the company’s estimation, 67 people were working today, and currently, 22 people are unaccounted for.”

He added, “At present, it is impossible for rescue or firefighting personnel to enter the building for search and rescue operations.”

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