Deadly Fire at South Korean Auto Parts Factory Kills 10, Injures Dozens

At least 10 people were killed and 59 injured in a massive fire that broke out Friday at an auto parts manufacturing plant in Daejeon, South Korea. Officials also stated that four people remain missing.

The fire erupted around 1:17 PM local time when nearly 170 workers were inside the factory. As the fire spread rapidly, many workers became trapped inside the building.

According to fire control officials, the first victim was found on the second floor in a state of cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead while being transported to the hospital. Subsequently, the bodies of nine others were confirmed on the third floor, indicating that the fire's impact reached the upper levels.

Firefighting teams struggled for an extended period to bring the blaze under control. Rescue operations were hampered initially by smoke and high temperatures. Rescue workers were only able to enter the building late at night after a technical team confirmed the structure was safe.

Rescue teams are currently intensifying their search for the four missing individuals. The injured have been sent to nearby hospitals for treatment, where some are reported to be in critical condition.

Officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. Preliminary speculation suggests the fire may have started from industrial equipment or flammable materials, but this has yet to be officially confirmed.

Following this incident, local authorities have directed that industrial safety standards be strictly enforced and announced that safety inspections at factories will be increased to prevent such incidents.