A fire caused by an explosion at a paint raw material manufacturing plant in Cheonan, South Korea, has resulted in three fatalities and two injuries. The government has urgently directed resources for rescue operations and ensuring the safety of personnel on-site, led by the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Interior and Safety.
According to fire authorities and police, the incident occurred at 11:44 AM at Daewon Industry, a paint raw material production facility located in the southeastern district of Cheonan.
Upon receiving the report, firefighters issued a Level 1 response at 12:05 PM and began firefighting and search operations. The city of Cheonan also sent out a disaster alert at 12:12 PM, urging residents to stay safe and avoid the area.
Initially, one body was discovered at the scene, followed by the recovery of two additional bodies during the search for two foreign workers reported missing. The first victim was identified as a woman in her 70s who worked in the company’s cafeteria, while authorities are still working to identify the other two deceased individuals.
Additionally, a 30-year-old worker from Indonesia suffered burns and was transported to a hospital, and one firefighter sustained a wrist injury from falling debris while responding to the fire.
In response to the incident, Prime Minister Han Seong-sook instructed the National Fire Agency to mobilize all available firefighting resources and equipment to prioritize firefighting and search efforts.
She also urged relevant agencies, including the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the National Police Agency, and local governments, to ensure support for the injured and to prioritize safety to prevent secondary accidents involving firefighters.
Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung similarly directed all relevant agencies, including the National Fire Agency and local authorities, to fully commit personnel and equipment to rescue and firefighting efforts. He emphasized the need to evacuate workers quickly to prevent further casualties and to ensure the safety of firefighters during the operation.
As firefighters continue to battle the blaze, police and fire authorities plan to conduct further searches for victims and investigate the cause and extent of the fire.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.