South Korea: Factory fire injures dozens, workers trapped

A fire at a Daejeon auto factory prompted President Lee Jae Myung to order a full rescue operation. Workers were seen jumping from windows to escape the flames.

At least 55 people were injured on Friday after a fire tore through an auto parts factory in Daejeon, South Korea, officials said, as emergency crews raced to locate more than a dozen people believed to have been trapped inside.

The fire broke out around 1:00 p.m. (0400 GMT) and spread rapidly through the facility, sending thick gray smoke billowing into the sky. Its cause was not immediately known, said Nam Deuk-woo, fire chief of Daedeok District, though witnesses reported an explosion.

Images from the scene showed workers leaping from upper floors to escape the flames.

Fourteen people believed to have been inside the factory had not yet been located, Nam said. Police were tracking mobile phone signals to find them.

Firefighters hindered by risk of building collapse

Firefighters could not enter parts of the building over fears it might collapse, forcing crews to focus instead on preventing the blaze from spreading to nearby facilities and removing hazardous chemicals.

Officials said about 200 kilograms (440 pounds) of highly reactive chemicals are stored in the facility.

Some of the injured suffered smoke inhalation, while others were hurt after jumping from the building, Nam said.

President orders full-scale rescue

The fire prompted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to order the full mobilization of personnel and equipment to support rescue efforts.

More than 500 emergency personnel and about 120 vehicles were deployed, including evacuation aircraft, an unmanned water cannon vehicle and firefighting robots designed to operate in hazardous areas.

Edited by: Kieran Burke