South Korea: Explosion sparks lithium battery factory fire, killing 22 people
A powerful explosion set on fire a lithium battery factory in South Korea, killing 22 workers, officials say.
The majority of those killed in the fire at the factory in Hwaseong city, just south of Seoul, on Monday, were Chinese nationals.
Two South Koreans and a Laotian were also among the dead, while the nationality of the remaining victim is yet to be confirmed, local fire official Kim Jin-young said.
Eight people were also injured in the blaze.
Firefighters take a break as rescue work continues. Pic: Reuters
The lithium battery factory is owned by South Korean battery maker Aricell. Pic: Reuters
Rescue workers at the factory – run by battery manufacturer Aricell – retrieved the bodies after combing through the site, Mr Kim said.
The blast comes amid mounting concerns over the safety of some lithium batteries, which have been known to burst into flames if used incorrectly.
Mr Kim said a witness told authorities the fire began after batteries exploded as workers were examining and packaging them, but the exact cause would be investigated.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office said he is monitoring the situation while interior minister Lee Sang-min called on local authorities to take steps to prevent any hazardous chemicals from contaminating the surroundings.
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The president had earlier ordered officials to mobilise all available personnel and equipment to find survivors.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Mr Lee visited the site on Monday.
Mr Han asked officials to provide government assistance for funeral services and support programs for victims’ relatives.
Mr Kim said officials would be looking into whether fire extinguishing systems were working.
The fire official said a total of 102 people were working at the factory before the incident happened.
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Established in 2020, Aricell makes lithium primary batteries for sensors and radio communication devices.
It has 48 employees, according to its latest regulatory filing and its Linkedin profile.
UK fire services have launched a series of campaigns to encourage people to use lithium batteries in e-bikes and scooters correctly, after a rise in the number of fires linked to the rechargeable devices.
“Super high-IQ revolutionaries” who are willing to work 80+ hours a week are being urged to join Elon Musk’s new cost-cutting department in Donald Trump’s incoming US government.
The X and Tesla owner will co-lead the Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
And in a post on X, the official DOGE account put out a call to arms for people to sign up and help “dismantle government bureaucracy”.
The post said: “We are very grateful to the thousands of Americans who have expressed interest in helping us at DOGE.
“We don’t need more part-time idea generators.
“We need super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting.
“If that’s you, DM this account with your CV. Elon & Vivek will review the top 1% of applicants.”
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Elon Musk speaking at an event held at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Pic: AP Photo/Alex Brandon
In a reply to an interested party, Mr Musk suggested the lucky applicants would be working for free.
“Indeed, this will be tedious work, make lost of enemies & compensation is zero,” the world’s richest man wrote.
“What a great deal!”
When announcing the new department, President-elect Donald Trump said Mr Musk and Mr Ramaswamy “will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies”.
Mr Musk has previously made clear his desire to see cuts to “government waste” and in a post on his X platform suggested he could axe as many as three-quarters of the more than 400 federal departments in the US, writing: “99 is enough.”
At least 10 people have been killed after a fire broke out at a retirement home in northern Spain in the early hours of this morning, officials have said.
A further two people were seriously injured in the blaze at the residence in the town of Villafranca de Ebro in Zaragoza, according to the Spanish news website Diario Sur.
Two people remain in a critical condition following the blaze. Pic: AP
They remain in a critical condition, while several others received treatment for smoke inhalation.
Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at the residence – the Jardines de Villafranca – at 5am (4am UK time) on Friday.
Several residents were treated for smoke inhalation. Pic: AP
Those who were killed in the fire died from smoke inhalation, Spanish newspaper Heraldo reported.
The residence is home to 82 elderly residents.
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The blaze started in one of the rooms, Fernando Beltran, the national government’s top official in the region, told reporters.
All of the victims were elderly residents, he added.
Relatives wait for news outside the care home. Pic: AP
Fire crews, paramedics and police officers remain on site, said a spokesperson for the regional government of Aragon who confirmed the fatalities.
It took firefighters several hours to extinguish the blaze, they said.
The cause of the fire is unknown and is being investigated.
At least 10 people have been killed after a fire broke out at a retirement home in northern Spain in the early hours of this morning, officials have said.
A further two people were seriously injured in the blaze at the residence in the town of Villafranca de Ebro in Zaragoza, according to the Spanish news website Diario Sur.
Two people remain in a critical condition following the blaze. Pic: AP
They remain in a critical condition, while several others received treatment for smoke inhalation.
Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at the residence – the Jardines de Villafranca – at 5am (4am UK time) on Friday.
Several residents were treated for smoke inhalation. Pic: AP
Those who were killed in the fire died from smoke inhalation, Spanish newspaper Heraldo reported.
The residence is home to 82 elderly residents.
Read more from Sky News:
Mass displacement in Gaza – people unsure where to go
Donald Trump picks vaccine sceptic as health secretary
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
The blaze started in one of the rooms, Fernando Beltran, the national government’s top official in the region, told reporters.
All of the victims were elderly residents, he added.
Relatives wait for news outside the care home. Pic: AP
Fire crews, paramedics and police officers remain on site, said a spokesperson for the regional government of Aragon who confirmed the fatalities.
It took firefighters several hours to extinguish the blaze, they said.
The cause of the fire is unknown and is being investigated.
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