- A massive fire ripped through a lithium battery factory
- At least 16 people were confirmed dead
- The cause of the explosions remains under investigation
A massive fire ripped through a lithium battery factory in Hwaseong, South Korea, on Monday, leaving a trail of death and destruction.
At least 16 people were confirmed dead, with five others missing.
The blaze erupted at the Aricell plant, a major South Korean battery manufacturer, around 10:30 am local time. Firefighters extinguished the flames by 3:10 pm, but not before the horrific toll was revealed.
Authorities believe the fire originated from exploding battery cells stored in a warehouse. The cause of the explosions remains under investigation.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol swiftly ordered a full-scale rescue effort, deploying all available personnel and equipment to locate survivors. Public safety measures were also implemented, urging residents near the plant to stay indoors and close windows due to smoke inhalation risks.
This incident highlights the potential dangers of lithium batteries, which power our everyday devices like phones, laptops, and electric vehicles. Thermal runaway, a phenomenon causing batteries to overheat and ignite, is a known risk associated with lithium-ion technology.
South Korea, a global leader in lithium battery production with giants like LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On calling it home, now grapples with this tragedy and its aftermath.
