A tragic fire erupted at a lithium battery manufacturing factory near Seoul, South Korea, claiming the lives of 22 workers, primarily Chinese migrants, and leaving eight others injured. The blaze, suspected to have started from exploding lithium batteries during examination and packaging, began on the factory’s second floor in Hwaseong city.
The victims included 18 Chinese nationals, two South Koreans, and one individual from Laos, as confirmed by local fire officials. The incident highlights the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, known for their potential to overheat and ignite if mishandled or packaged incorrectly. Authorities are conducting investigations into the cause of the fire and the functionality of fire safety systems at the site, while efforts continue to locate a missing factory worker.