An explosion rips open the wall of a Hanwha munitions plant in Daejeon. [Yonhap News Photo]
SEOUL -- A mid-day explosion at a munitions plant run by South Korea's Hanwha group left nine people dead or injured, crippling operation at one of the country's key defense contractors involved in the production of guided weapons.
Hanwha said the explosion at one plant on its munitions complex in the central city of Daejeon killed two workers and injured seven others. The extent of damage was not known.
The explosion took place at 4:17 p.m. (0717 GMT) Tuesday when workers were loading solid fuel into a rocket propulsion system which damaged some factory facilities. Hanwha declined to give further details as related information is classified. A police investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the explosion that triggered a fire. About 30 fire engines put the blaze under control within 10 minutes.
"We are trying hard to find the exact cause of the accident. A field response team is thoroughly investigating the cause of the accident in the field," the company said in a statement.
Hanwha, a top defense contractor in South Korea, is involved in the production of munitions and various military equipment. It is one of many defense contractors involved in military programs to produce missiles, parts and electronic systems related to multiple rocket launchers and guided weapons.
This story was contributed by Jazin Wee, an editorial assistant.
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