[26.03.20] Daejeon Factory Fire Leaves 50 Injured, 14 Missing

Daejeon Auto Parts Factory Fire…Over 50 Injured, 14 Missing

📍Major casualties reported in Daedeok-gu factory fire…Rescue efforts hindered by collapse risk despite nationwide emergency response

A large-scale fire broke out at an auto parts manufacturing factory in Daedeok-gu, Daejeon, resulting in dozens of casualties and leaving several workers unaccounted for. Fire authorities issued a nationwide emergency mobilization order and launched a full-scale response, but rescue operations are facing difficulties due to high temperatures and structural damage raising the risk of collapse. The incident is drawing attention to the need for a comprehensive review of industrial safety management and fire response systems.

🔹 Fire Outbreak and Initial Response…Level 2 Response and National Mobilization
At 1:47 p.m. on the 20th, a fire broke out at an auto parts manufacturing factory in Munpyeong-dong, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon. Fire authorities issued a Level 1 response within nine minutes of receiving the report and later escalated it to Level 2 as the situation worsened.

As concerns over casualties increased, a nationwide emergency mobilization order was issued at 1:53 p.m., activating support from across the country. About 200 firefighters and 90 pieces of equipment were deployed, with additional support from Chungnam, Chungbuk, and Sejong fire departments.

A disaster medical assistance team (DMAT) was also set up on site to triage and treat the injured.

🔹 Casualties…Over 50 Injured, 14 Unaccounted For
As of 4:30 p.m., a total of 55 people were injured, including 24 seriously and 31 with minor injuries.

Most injuries were caused by toxic gas inhalation or falls during evacuation. The injured were transported to nearby hospitals, including Chungnam National University Hospital and Eulji University Hospital, while some with minor injuries were discharged after treatment.

At the time of the fire, 170 workers were inside the factory. While 156 have been accounted for, 14 remain uncontacted.

🔹 Fire Spread and Structural Damage…Building Destroyed and Spread to Adjacent Facility
The factory consists of two connected buildings. The initial fire building was completely destroyed, and flames spread to the adjacent structure.

Due to the prefabricated steel structure, the fire spread rapidly, and high temperatures caused structural deformation, increasing the risk of collapse.

Parts of the facility, with a total floor area of approximately 19,730 square meters, were destroyed, and it remains unclear whether the sprinkler system installed on the third floor parking area functioned properly.

🔹 Rescue Difficulties…Restricted Entry Due to Collapse Risk
As of 8 p.m., more than 90% of the fire had been extinguished, but search operations for missing persons remain difficult.

Safety inspections determined that the building is at high risk of collapse due to heat-induced deformation of the steel structure, making it extremely dangerous for rescue teams to enter.

Fire authorities plan to lower the internal temperature using unmanned water cannons and firefighting robots before conducting a phased search once safety is secured.

🔹 Search Plan…Focus on Break Room Area
Authorities believe the missing individuals may have been in a second-floor break room at the time of the fire, considering that lunch break lasted until 1:30 p.m.

Depending on safety assessments, rescue teams may be deployed at night to prioritize searches in that area.

Detailed search plans are being prepared using building blueprints, and lighting and heavy equipment are being secured for nighttime operations.

🔹 Government Response…Full-Scale Nationwide Effort
Immediately after receiving reports of the incident, President Lee Jae-myung ordered all available resources to be mobilized for rescue operations.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety activated the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to coordinate a government-wide response.

The National Fire Agency also held a joint situation assessment meeting to discuss rescue efforts and measures to prevent further damage.

🔹 Safety Concerns…Call for Stronger Industrial Safety Measures
This fire once again highlighted the risks present in industrial sites that can lead to large-scale casualties.

Issues such as sprinkler operation, initial response systems, and structural safety are expected to be key points of investigation.

Experts emphasize the need for stronger preventive safety management, noting that steel structures vulnerable to high heat combined with dense working environments can significantly increase damage.

One-line summary : A factory fire in Daejeon left over 50 injured and 14 missing, with rescue efforts hampered by the risk of structural collapse.