DAEJEON, South Korea — A devastating blaze broke out at an automotive parts manufacturing plant in South Korea’s central region Friday, leaving no fewer than 50 workers injured, according to emergency officials.
South Korea’s National Fire Agency reported that 35 individuals sustained serious injuries, though authorities could not immediately determine if any victims faced life-threatening conditions.
Dramatic footage captured at the location revealed dense gray smoke pouring from the industrial complex.
Emergency officials could not immediately determine how many employees remained trapped within the building and cautioned that the casualty count might climb higher. The blaze began around 1:17 p.m., with authorities declining to speculate on what may have sparked the fire.
The fire agency dispatched more than 200 emergency responders along with 70 emergency vehicles to combat the flames.
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who serves as the nation’s second-ranking official under President Lee Jae Myung, ordered the complete deployment of emergency personnel and equipment to suppress the fire and conduct rescue missions.
