Rescue teams have recovered the bodies of 14 individuals from the destroyed remains of a car parts manufacturing plant. The tragic fire took place in Daejeon, a central city, on March 21. An explosion and subsequent fire resulted in injuries to at least 59 people, according to reports. Fire authorities have confirmed that 25 individuals sustained severe injuries, with their conditions not immediately disclosed.

More than 500 firefighters, police officers, and emergency responders were mobilized to combat the fire and conduct rescue operations after it erupted on March 20. Images and videos from the scene depict dense grey smoke emerging from the facility, with some workers seen jumping from a building owned by Anjun Industrial.

Nam Deuk-woo, the fire chief of Daedeok district, mentioned that the fire destroyed a factory structure that initially posed a risk of collapse, hindering firefighters’ access. The search for missing workers commenced after authorities used unmanned firefighting robots to cool the building and perform safety inspections.

Out of the 14 fatalities, nine were discovered in a suspected gym on the third floor, while three were found near a water tank on the second floor. All missing individuals have now been located. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung visited the site, meeting with victims’ families and urging safety precautions to prevent further accidents during search efforts.

The fire was first reported at 1:18 p.m. on Friday, with the cause not immediately determined. Witnesses reported a rapid spread of the blaze, possibly triggered by an explosion. Firefighters concentrated on containing the fire and securing nearby facilities, including isolating hazardous chemicals found on-site.

Several individuals sustained injuries while escaping the building, with some suffering from smoke inhalation. By Saturday morning, 28 individuals were hospitalized, with four undergoing surgeries for fractures and other injuries. A significant deployment of vehicles and equipment, such as aircraft, unmanned water cannon vehicles, and firefighting robots, along with a large workforce, assisted in the emergency response efforts.