A powerful explosion set a lithium battery factory on fire in South Korea on Monday (June 24), killing at least 22 workers, most of them Chinese nationals, local fire officials said. What had triggered the explosion remains unclear.

Hwaseong-si

22 people have been confirmed dead following a large explosion at a lithium battery factory in South Korea, according to local fire officials. The fire began after a series of battery cells exploded inside a warehouse containing approximately 35,000 units. The exact cause of the explosion remains uncertain. 

The factory, operated by battery manufacturer Aracel, is located in Hwaseong, about 90 minutes southwest of Seoul. Parts of the factory's upper level collapsed, and large sections of the building were blown out into the street. Smoke was seen billowing across the city skyline, and a witness reported seeing firefighters remove up to six bodies from the facility.

Among the deceased were 18 Chinese workers and one Laotian, as confirmed by local fire official Kim Jin-young. South Korean President Yun Suk-yo visited the site and received a briefing from officials, while Interior Minister Lee Sang-min urged local authorities to prevent any hazardous chemicals from contaminating the area.

Kim Tae-ho, a fire and disaster prevention professor at Taejeon University, explained that materials like nickel used in batteries are highly flammable, likely contributing to the rapid spread of the fire. Aracel manufactures lithium primary batteries for sensors and radio communication devices. Efforts to contact the company went unanswered.

Aracel is majority-owned by Esconnect, which is listed on the Junior KOSDAQ index. Following the incident, Esconnect's shares fell by 22.5%. South Korea, a significant industrial economy, has been working to improve its safety record following several past accidents often attributed to negligence.



Over 20 dead in South Korea battery factory fire

22 people have been confirmed dead after a large explosion set a lithium battery factory on fire in South Korea on Monday, local fire officials said. The blaze started after a series of battery cells exploded inside a warehouse with some 35,000 units, a local fire official said. What had triggered the explosion remains unclear. The factory is run by battery manufacturer Aracel in Hwaseong, a major industrial cluster about 90 minutes southwest of the capital Seoul. Parts of the factory's upper level had collapsed, and large chunks of the building had been blown out into the street. Earlier, smoke was captured billowing across the city skyline. A Reuters witness saw firefighters moving up to six bodies out of the factory. Eighteen Chinese workers and one Laotian were among the dead, local fire official Kim Jin-young told reporters, citing information from company officials. South Korean President Yun Suk-yo visited the scene and was given a briefing by officials. Interior Minister Lee Sang-min called on local authorities to prevent any hazardous chemicals from contaminating the area. Kim Tae-ho, a fire and disaster prevention professor at Taejeon University, said battery materials like nickel are easily flammable, so the fire probably spread too quickly for workers to escape. Aracel makes lithium primary batteries for sensors and radio communication devices. Calls to its offices went unanswered. The company is not listed on South Korea's stock market but is majority owned by Esconnect according to regulatory filings. Esconnect is registered on the Junior KOSDAQ index and its shares close down 22.5 percent. South Korea is a major industrial economy and has made efforts to improve its safety record after several past accidents, many of which have been blamed on negligence.

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