Explosions at lithium battery plant spark deadly fire

A massive fire at a South Korean lithium battery factory has killed 22 people - including 18 Chinese nationals - the fire department said yesterday, one of the country's worst factory disasters in years.

Over 100 people were working in the factory when workers heard a series of explosions from the second floor, where lithium-ion batteries were being inspected and packaged, firefighters said.

In the massive blaze that ensued, 22 people were killed, including 20 foreign nationals -- 18 Chinese, one from Laos, and one of unknown nationality, firefighters said.

"Most of the bodies are badly burned so it will take some time to identify each one," they added.

Dozens of fire trucks were seen lined up outside the factory, with rescue workers carrying bodies, covered by blue blankets, out of the building on stretchers.

The vast factory had an estimated 35,000 battery cells on the second floor in storage, with more batteries stored in other areas.

Lithium batteries burn hot and fast, and are difficult to control with conventional fire extinguishing methods.

"Due to fears of additional explosions, it was difficult to enter," said firefighters, describing the tricky rescue operation. "As it is a lithium battery manufacturer, we had determined that spraying water will not extinguish the fire, so we used dry sand," they added.

The lithium battery plant is owned by Aricell, a South Korean primary battery manufacturer. It is located in Hwaseong city, just south of the capital Seoul.

Lithium batteries are used in everything from laptops to electric vehicles -- but can be highly explosive, with airlines, for example, imposing strict regulations on checking devices containing them.

South Korea is a major producer of the batteries, supplying EV makers around the world, including Tesla.

The fire is one of South Korea's worst factory disasters in years.

Previously, it's worst chemical plant accident was in 1989 at the Lucky Chemical factory in Yeosu, Southern Jeolla Province, which resulted in 16 deaths and 17 injuries.

A fire at a warehouse in Icheon in 2020 killed 38 people.

Agence France-Presse