Fire at Hwaseong Battery Plant Kills 23, Including 17 Chinese Nationals

Jun 24, 2024, 04:34 PM

A devastating fire broke out at a lithium battery manufacturing plant in Hwaseong, South Korea, resulting in the deaths of at least 23 people, including 17 Chinese nationals. The fire, which was likely triggered by exploding lithium batteries, also left eight others injured. The incident, which has been described as one of South Korea's worst chemical plant disasters in years, has sparked concerns over industrial safety and the working conditions of migrant workers. The CEO of Aricell, the company operating the plant, has apologized but stated that the company complied with all required safety precautions and training. South Korean President Yoon has called for greater industrial safety measures following the tragedy. Rescue workers continue to search for any remaining victims in the charred ruins. Authorities confirmed that 22 of the deceased were foreign nationals.