A massive explosion rocked a battery manufacturing facility in Daejeon’s Daeduck-gu district on March 20, claiming 14 lives and injuring 60 others. The incident occurred during safe operations at the plant, which produces hybrid vehicle batteries.
Explosion Details and Initial Response
The blast originated on the first floor near the entrance area, rapidly engulfing the building in flames. Eyewitnesses detected smoke just two minutes before the explosion. Firefighters arrived within four minutes, but the entire facility was already consumed by fire.
Efforts to extinguish the blaze lasted over 10 hours and 30 minutes. Officials conducted a joint inspection of the site on March 22 to assess the damage and causes.
Cause Linked to Hazardous Materials
Analysis points to a fire in the background piping room, where flames spread uncontrollably due to lithium and sodium (natrium) batteries. These materials pose severe risks: lithium batteries explode upon water contact, while sodium batteries release toxic gases when exposed to flames.
The factory utilized sandwich panels for construction, which contained flames initially but allowed spread through elevator shafts and walls. No water was applied for two hours to avoid exacerbating explosions from sodium batteries, weighing about 101kg per unit in one area.
Casualties and Escape Challenges
All 14 fatalities resulted from smoke inhalation on the first floor, with 14 workers trapped after the explosion. An additional 60 suffered injuries from the blast impact.
Nine victims were found in an illegal safety helmet storage room on the second floor, a confined space lacking sprinklers. The room, made of thick structures, trapped workers who could not escape amid heavy smoke. Fire department officials noted no unauthorized entries, but the layout hindered evacuation.
Safety Panel and Sprinkler Issues
Safety panels failed to contain the fire fully, with flames penetrating via elevator shafts. Sprinklers were absent in critical areas like the helmet storage, contributing to the tragedy. Experts highlight that sodium panels on sandwich structures release massive toxic gases upon burning.
Factory Background and Prior Incidents
The facility, a central operation since 1953, manufactures batteries for domestic hybrid vehicle production. In June 2024, a similar lithium battery plant fire in Arisell killed 23 workers, underscoring recurring hazards in the sector.
Local residents and experts express outrage, calling for stricter regulations on hazardous materials like lithium and sodium batteries. “Such operations demand heightened oversight,” one official stated.
Investigations continue to pinpoint the exact ignition source, with emphasis on preventing future half-measures in safety protocols.
