An explosion at Hanwha Aerospace's Daejeon plant has killed five workers, authorities confirmed.
According to fire authorities on Saturday, an explosion occurred at around 10:59 a.m. at Hanwha Aerospace's Daejeon plant in Oesam-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, killing five people and leaving two others with serious or minor injuries. The injured were transported to a hospital. All five fatalities were found inside the workplace, while the two survivors are reported to have evacuated on their own. Fire authorities initially announced six deaths but later revised the figure to five.
In the early stages of the accident, fire authorities received about 30 reports of "an explosion sound" and "heavy smoke." The number of reports later climbed to about 40. At 11:17 a.m., authorities issued a Level 1 fire response, deploying 85 personnel and 25 vehicles including fire trucks to the site. The initial blaze was brought under control around 11:40 a.m., roughly 50 minutes later. Fire crews are currently removing debris and conducting a final search for victims.
Police and fire authorities believe the explosion was related to a propellant, and plan to investigate the precise circumstances and cause once the fire is fully extinguished.
Hanwha Aerospace's Daejeon plant manufactures large propulsion systems and tactical weapons. A previous explosion in May 2018 killed two workers at the scene, with three others later dying while receiving treatment. In February 2019, another explosion at a propellant demolding chamber killed three workers.
President Lee Jae-myung, after being briefed on the accident, ordered officials to "mobilize all available resources for rescue and response." Prime Minister Kim Min-seok urged the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the National Fire Agency, the National Police Agency and the Daejeon city government to do their utmost in rescue operations. He also asked related agencies—including the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Korea AeroSpace Administration, and the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment—to provide necessary personnel and equipment. Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Ho-jung also issued emergency directives to the National Fire Agency, the National Police Agency, the Daejeon city government, and the Yuseong district office.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor also responded immediately. Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon dispatched Ryu Hyun-cheol, head of the ministry's Industrial Safety and Health Headquarters, to the site and ordered swift response measures. Right after the accident, the ministry sent the head of the Daejeon Regional Employment and Labor Office and others to the scene and ordered a work stoppage. The ministry established a Central Industrial Accident Response Headquarters at its main office and a Regional Industrial Accident Response Headquarters at the Daejeon Regional Employment and Labor Office.
Hanwha Group and Hanwha Aerospace issued statements of apology on the same day. "We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the loss of five precious employees. We pray for the souls of the deceased and offer our sincere condolences to their bereaved families," Hanwha said. "We wish for the swift recovery of the injured employees and will spare no effort in supporting their treatment." Immediately after the accident, Hanwha Aerospace held an emergency response meeting at its Seoul headquarters, chaired by CEO Son Jae-il. Son traveled directly to the Daejeon accident site after the meeting. The company also set up a response headquarters at the scene and is working with authorities to manage the aftermath.
With nationwide local elections approaching, political parties also called for a subdued campaign in the wake of the accident. Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae issued urgent instructions to candidates and campaigns nationwide to refrain from using campaign jingles and choreographed dances. Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, said he would suspend campaigning upon hearing of the accident. People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk likewise urged candidates to refrain from jingles and dances and to conduct subdued campaigns.
