Hwaseong, South Korea – A tragic explosion at a lithium battery factory in Hwaseong, South Korea, resulted in a devastating fire that claimed the lives of at least 16 individuals. The factory, located in an industrial hub 45km southwest of Seoul, was engulfed in flames as the incident unfolded.
Rescue efforts are currently underway to locate five missing individuals in and around the factory premises. The fire, which started at 10:30 am on a Monday, was eventually brought under control by firefighters around 3:10 pm. The challenging aspect of extinguishing the blaze stemmed from the nature of burning lithium batteries, which react fiercely with water, necessitating the use of dry sand as an alternative extinguishing method.
Kim Jin-young, a local fire official, reported to Reuters that the fire originated from exploding battery cells within a warehouse containing approximately 35,000 units. As investigations into the cause of the explosion continue, the tragic incident underscores the dangers associated with lithium battery production and storage.
In addition to the confirmed fatalities, one worker suffered severe injuries while two others sustained minor injuries. Following the incident, the government convened an emergency meeting to discuss strategies for minimizing casualties in similar industrial accidents moving forward.
Commenting on the rapid spread of the fire, Kim Jae-ho, a fire and disaster prevention professor at Daejeon University, highlighted the highly flammable nature of battery materials such as nickel, emphasizing the challenges in responding effectively to fires involving such substances.
Lithium batteries pose a significant risk of explosion when damaged or overheated, with the potential for reignition even after the initial fire has been extinguished. The chemical reactions within these batteries can lead to unpredictable and hazardous situations, emphasizing the need for stringent safety protocols in battery production facilities.