Tragic Fire at South Korean Lithium Battery Factory Claims 22 Lives, Including 18 Chinese Nationals

Firefighters walk outside of a lithium ion battery plant in South Korea that had an explosion and fire.

A devastating fire at the Aricell lithium battery factory in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, has resulted in the deaths of 22 people, including 18 Chinese nationals. The fire, which broke out on Monday morning, also injured eight workers, and one person remains missing. Authorities are investigating the cause, suspected to be a battery explosion.

Firefighter Kim Jin-young reported that among the deceased were 20 foreign nationals, including 18 Chinese, one Laotian, and one of unknown nationality. The victims' bodies were severely burnt, making identification a lengthy process.

The blaze erupted at approximately 10:31 a.m. at the three-story Aricell factory, which spans over 2,300 square meters and specializes in the manufacture and sale of lithium primary batteries. About 102 people were working at the facility at the time of the incident. Most of the deceased were trapped inside the building during initial rescue efforts.

The Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters confirmed the deaths of 22 individuals, including 20 foreign workers. At least seven workers sustained severe injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. One worker who suffered cardiac arrest could not be saved despite receiving medical attention.

The fire, which broke out at the Aricell plant, also injured eight workers, while one person remains missing

Investigators are still determining the cause of the fire, but one worker who escaped informed authorities that an explosion had occurred in one of the batteries. Kim Jin-young, head of the disaster prevention department at the Hwaseong Police Station, provided this information.

The fire at the battery plant was particularly challenging due to the volatile nature of lithium fires. Experts noted that lithium batteries generate heat constantly and can reignite even after the flames appear to be extinguished. Lithium also reacts violently with water, producing hydrogen gas, which can result in significant explosions.

Na Yong-woon, a researcher at the National Fire Research Institute, explained, “Primary batteries are manufactured in a fully charged state because they cannot be recharged, so they are full of energy, making the risk of fire or explosion greater than secondary batteries. Although metal powders such as lithium can react explosively when in contact with water, batteries contain only a minimal amount of lithium, so they do not react even if water is sprinkled on them.”

President Yoon Seok Yul has ordered the mobilization of all available resources for search and rescue operations. Minister of the Interior and Safety, Lee Sang-min, and Fire and Rescue Chief Nam Hwa-young have been directed to ensure the safety of firefighters and coordinate efforts to combat the fires. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has instructed the foreign minister to establish cooperation with foreign embassies due to the involvement of foreign workers in this tragic event.