[An image of a fire on a building. Photo credit: Pixabay]

On June 24, a lithium battery company experienced a strong series of flames at its facility in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province.

Known for producing lithium batteries, Arisel’s factory became the scene of a devastating incident that has shaken the nation.

Lithium batteries are commonly used in different mechanics, and everyday materials.

However, if used inappropriately or exposed to extremely hot conditions, they can easily catch fire, increasing the risk of accidents.

This vulnerability was tragically highlighted when an initial battery explosion triggered a series of explosions.

The fire broke out at around 10:31 a.m. Korean Standard Time (KST) and was not fully extinguished until 3:10 p.m.

Firefighters worked tirelessly to control the blaze and rescue trapped workers.

Unfortunately, the incident has been recorded as one of South Korea’s most catastrophic battery-related accidents.

The disaster claimed the lives of 22 factory workers, the majority of whom were foreign nationals.

Specifically, 20 victims were identified as foreigners, while two were South Korean citizens.

In addition to fatalities, seven people sustained injuries ranging from minor to severe.

Identifying the deceased has proven challenging due to the extensive damage to the building and the remains.

So far, seventeen victims have been identified, with DNA tests ongoing to confirm the identities of the remaining five.

Lithium battery fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish due to the lack of a definitive method for handling such incidents.

This challenge contributed to the extended duration and complexity of the firefighting efforts.

The labor authorities have ordered Arisel to stop operations across all its facilities to prevent further tragedies and ensure worker safety.

Investigations are underway to determine whether the company followed the required safety protocols.

Authorities are committed to supporting the victims’ families and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.