SEOUL, South Korea, June 1 (ANI) — Five people were killed and two others were injured Monday following an explosion at a factory operated by Hanwha Aerospace in the central South Korean city of Daejeon, local media reported.
Official state news agency Yonhap reported that the fire was reported at 10:59 a.m. local time. Of the two survivors, one sustained severe burns across the body, while the other suffered minor injuries.
The explosion is believed to have occurred while workers were conducting explosive-related cleaning operations at the facility, which develops large propulsion engines and tactical surface-to-surface weapon systems.
President Lee Jae Myung has ordered an investigation into the incident and directed government officials to mobilize all available resources for rescue efforts.
Yonhap News Agency reported that fire authorities received about 30 emergency calls at around 10:59 a.m. local time reporting a loud explosion and thick smoke at the facility.
Meanwhile, Hanwha Group and its defense subsidiary, Hanwha Aerospace, issued an apology and pledged full cooperation with authorities, along with a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident, according to local media outlet The Korea Herald.
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok ordered the Interior Ministry, the National Fire Agency, police, and the Daejeon city government to deploy all available equipment and personnel to extinguish the fire and rescue victims to prevent additional casualties.
Yonhap reported that an explosion at the same factory in 2018 killed five people. Another explosion in 2019 left three workers dead.
The Daejeon facility is one of Hanwha Aerospace’s key aerospace and defense research and production sites. The company develops and manufactures large-scale propulsion systems and tactical surface-to-surface weapon systems there, including propellant mixing and loading operations.
The facility is involved in developing propulsion systems for weapons such as multiple-launch rocket systems and missiles, requiring the handling of highly sensitive combustible and explosive compounds. (ANI)
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