Fire at lithium battery factory in South Korea leaves 22 dead

A fire devastated a lithium battery factory in Hwaseong, South Korea, early Monday morning, killing 22 people. The flames, caused by numerous battery explosions, quickly consumed the Aricell factory, located in an industrial area southwest of Seoul.

Victims and development of the fire at the lithium battery factory

Firefighters reported that among the victims were 18 Chinese citizens, 2 South Koreans and a Laotian.

The nationality of the latest victim remains unconfirmed. Kim Jin-young, an official with the Hwaseong fire service, revealed that the victims probably inhaled toxic gases and succumbed almost instantly.

The disaster struck at 10:31 a.m. (South Korea time) with an explosion among 35,000 stored lithium batteries. The intensity of the fire caused significant structural collapses, which complicated rescue efforts.

Firefighters recovered up to 6 bodies from the rubble, facing dense smoke and unstable structures.

Local news channels broadcast live footage of firefighters battling the flames inside the badly damaged steel and concrete building.

The upper levels of the structure had collapsed and debris scattered the area. Aerial views showed columns of white smoke rising from the site, with continuous explosions making rescue operations difficult. 2 people suffered serious burns and are receiving treatment.

Gyeonggi provincial fire official Cho Sun-ho noted that most of the foreign victims were temporary workers.

Their ignorance of the layout of the factory probably prevented them from escaping the rapidly spreading fire. Cho stressed that the victims probably inhaled toxic fumes and lost consciousness within two breaths.

Consequences and subsequent actions

Lithium battery materials, including nickel, are notoriously flammable. Kim Jae-ho, a professor specializing in Fire and Disaster Prevention at Daejeon University, explained that these materials ignite quickly, which compromises both evacuation and firefighting.

In response, President Yoon Suk Yeol visited the site later that day. Interior Minister Lee Sang-min urged local authorities to take preventive measures against possible contamination from hazardous materials present.

Aricell, founded in 2020, manufactures lithium batteries for sensors and radio communication devices. Despite having only 48 employees, the company’s operations came to a complete halt due to the fire.

Attempts to contact Aricell’s offices were unsuccessful amid the ongoing crisis. Aricell is a subsidiary majority owned by S-Connect, whose stock market value plummeted 22.5% after news of the fire was announced.