53 injured, 14 missing in South Korean car parts factory fire

A large-scale fire broke out at a car parts factory in South Korea on Friday, injuring 53 people and leaving 14 others missing, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The blaze started at about 1:17 p.m. local time (0417 GMT) at the factory in Daejeon, around 140 kilometers southeast of capital Seoul.

According to reports at 3:30 p.m. local time, 24 people were seriously injured and 29 sustained slight injuries.

Some victims suffered from smoke inhalation, while others were hurt after jumping from the burning plant.

Of the 170 employees who were inside the factory when the fire broke out, 14 remained unaccounted for.

Less than an hour after the initial report, the National Fire Agency issued a national fire mobilization order, deploying firefighting resources from other regions to the affected area.

About 90 fire trucks and pieces of equipment along with some 200 firefighters were dispatched to the scene. Helicopters from the Korea Forest Service were also scrambled to assist in battling the blaze.

Rescue workers were unable to enter the factory due to the risk of building collapse or chemical explosions.

One of the factory's two prefabricated buildings, which are connected by a walkway, was completely destroyed, and the flames spread to the adjacent structure.

The building reportedly housed about 200 kg of sodium, raising the risk of explosions.