Fire at South Korean car parts factory kills 10, injures 59

A devastating fire at a car parts factory in the South Korean city of Daejeon has left 10 people dead and dozens more injured. According to local authorities, the bodies of the deceased were recovered from the upper levels of the facility, with one victim found on the second floor and nine others on the third floor. In addition to the fatalities, 25 people sustained serious injuries, 34 suffered minor injuries, and four individuals remain missing as search operations continue.

The blaze broke out around lunchtime on Friday, March 20, 2026, at a facility owned by Anjun Industrial. The company is a key automotive supplier specializing in engine valves for major manufacturers, including Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety confirmed on Saturday that the fire was successfully contained by late Friday night, approximately 11 hours after it began.

In response to the scale of the tragedy, President Lee Jae-myung ordered the mobilization of all available national resources to support rescue efforts and provide medical care to the survivors. The government has since activated a centralized disaster management system to coordinate the emergency response and investigate the cause of the fire, which sent thick plumes of black smoke over the Daejeon industrial district.

The incident raises significant concerns regarding industrial safety protocols and potential disruptions to the South Korean automotive supply chain. Investigators are currently working to determine the origin of the fire and whether safety systems within the factory were operational at the time of the outbreak.