Fire at Daejeon Auto Parts Factory Injures 53, 14 Missing

A fire broke out Friday afternoon at an auto parts factory in the central South Korean city of Daejeon, injuring at least 53 people and leaving 14 others unaccounted for, authorities reported. The blaze, which started around 1:17 p.m. in the Daedeok district's Munpyeongdong area, prompted a national firefighting mobilization order due to its scale and the presence of hazardous chemicals inside the facility.

Officials from the National Fire Agency stated that 24 of the injured suffered serious harm, though the exact number of life-threatening cases remained unclear as medical assessments continued. Many injuries resulted from workers jumping from the building to escape or inhaling smoke and toxic gases, according to Nam Deukwoo, fire chief of Daedeok district. At the time of the incident, approximately 170 workers were inside the two-building complex. Videos from the scene captured thick gray smoke rising from the site and workers leaping from upper levels amid the chaos.

The cause of the fire has not been determined, but witnesses reported hearing an explosion, and officials described the blaze as spreading rapidly. One building was completely destroyed, while the second...