Rescue teams recovered the remains of 10 people from an auto parts factory in Daejeon after a fire that authorities say was likely sparked by an explosion. The blaze, reported around 1:18 p.m. Friday, also injured at least 59 people and left four workers unaccounted for. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said 25 victims were seriously hurt; officials did not immediately say whether any were in life-threatening condition.
More than 500 firefighters, police and emergency personnel were dispatched after thick gray smoke and images of some workers jumping from the building circulated. Crews initially could not enter the structure amid fears of collapse, Daedeok district fire chief Nam Deuk-woo said. Unmanned firefighting robots were used to cool the building and support safety inspections before searches resumed late Friday.
Rescuers found one body on the second floor and nine in what is believed to have been a gym on the third floor. By Saturday morning crews had searched all accessible areas and said the four remaining missing were likely trapped under rubble; additional safety checks were planned before debris removal and continued searches. Police identified one of the deceased; genetic tests were under way for the others.
Witnesses reported an explosion as the fire spread rapidly. Firefighters worked to prevent the blaze from reaching a neighboring facility and to isolate explosive chemicals; authorities recovered more than 100 kilograms of highly reactive chemicals at the site.
Some victims were injured after jumping from the building, while others suffered smoke inhalation. As of Saturday morning, 28 people were hospitalized and four had undergone surgery for broken bones and other injuries. The response involved about 120 vehicles and pieces of equipment, including aircraft, an unmanned water-cannon vehicle and two firefighting robots for hard-to-reach areas, alongside hundreds of personnel.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung ordered full mobilization of personnel and equipment to contain the fire and support rescue efforts. Searches and safety assessments were ongoing.
