Fire at South Korean Auto Parts Factory Injures 53, Leaves 14 Missing
President Lee Jae Myung orders nationwide mobilization as blaze in Daejeon triggers national firefighting response
DAEJEON, South Korea — March 20, 2026 — A massive fire that broke out at an automotive parts manufacturing factory in the central South Korean city of Daejeon on Friday has injured at least 53 people, with 14 others still unaccounted for, authorities said, prompting President Lee Jae Myung to order the mobilization of all available resources for rescue operations .
The blaze was reported at approximately 1:17 p.m. local time at a factory in Munpyeong-dong, Daejeon’s Daedeok District, about 140 kilometers (87 miles) southeast of the capital Seoul, according to Yonhap News Agency . The fire quickly escalated, prompting the National Fire Agency to issue a nationwide firefighting mobilization order at 1:53 p.m.—a measure implemented when a blaze is deemed to exceed the response capacity of local authorities .
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Casualties and Missing Workers
According to the National Fire Agency’s latest update, the fire has resulted in 53 injuries, with at least 14 workers still missing and unaccounted for . Among the injured, 35 were reported to have sustained serious injuries .
Authorities have cautioned that the number of casualties could rise further as search operations continue within the facility . Firefighters are working to gain access to the affected areas of the factory to determine the exact location and status of those still missing.
Government Response and Presidential Directive
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung issued an immediate directive following his briefing on the incident, ordering authorities to mobilize all available resources to rescue victims and contain the fire .
“Lee ordered authorities to mobilize all available resources, including equipment and personnel, to bring the situation under control and rescue people,” presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a press notice . The president also stressed the need to prevent safety accidents involving rescue personnel as firefighting operations continue .
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok also issued emergency instructions to the interior ministry and the fire agency to use all available equipment and personnel to rescue people and extinguish the fire . He further ordered the Daejeon metropolitan government and police to implement traffic control and evacuation measures to prevent secondary damage .
National Firefighting Mobilization
The scale of the fire prompted the National Fire Agency to issue a nationwide mobilization order, deploying firefighting resources—including personnel, fire trucks, and specialized equipment—from other regions to the affected area .
According to local media reports, more than 240 firefighters and 70 rescue vehicles have been deployed to combat the blaze . Support has been dispatched from neighboring regions, including North Chungcheong Province, South Chungcheong Province, and Sejong City . Two unmanned firefighting robots and a large-capacity water discharge system have also been deployed to assist in suppression efforts .
The National Fire Agency Commissioner General Kim Seung-ryong ordered the mobilization of all available resources and emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of first responders operating at the scene .
Factory and Safety Context
The affected facility is an automotive parts manufacturing plant located in Daejeon’s industrial district. While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, authorities have indicated that the presence of flammable materials within the factory may have contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze .
The fire broke out during daytime working hours, which likely contributed to the high number of injuries and missing workers. Emergency response teams arrived at the scene within minutes of the initial report, with the first response command activated at 1:26 p.m. and escalated to a higher level at 1:31 p.m., according to the National Fire Agency .
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Search and Rescue Operations
As of Friday afternoon, firefighting and search operations continued with personnel working to control the blaze while simultaneously searching for the 14 missing workers . The National Fire Agency has prioritized ensuring the safety of rescue personnel while conducting operations .
Officials stated that once the fire is brought under control, a thorough investigation will be launched to determine the exact cause of the blaze and assess whether safety regulations were properly observed .
Ongoing Developments
This is a developing story. Authorities continue to update casualty figures as rescue operations progress and access to the factory interior expands. The National Fire Agency has indicated that the final toll may not be known until firefighters can fully enter the building to search for missing workers.
SOURCES / INPUTS
Xinhua via China.org.cn: 50 injured in fire at S. Korean auto parts factory
Yonhap News Agency: Lee calls for all-out efforts for rescue operations at car parts plant fire
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