An explosion at Hanwha Aerospace's (012450.KS) plant in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, killed four people and injured two on Saturday.
According to fire authorities, around 30 reports of an explosion at the Hanwha Aerospace Daejeon plant in Oesam-dong, Yuseong-gu, were filed with the fire department at around 10:59 a.m. The number of reports later rose to about 40. Most reports said callers had "heard an explosion" or that "heavy smoke was visible."
Fire authorities said four people have died so far, while two others sustained serious or minor injuries and were transported to hospitals. One person reportedly evacuated on their own.
The fire department issued a Level 1 response at 11:17 a.m., deploying 85 personnel and 25 pieces of equipment, including fire trucks, to fight the blaze. The initial knockdown was completed in about 50 minutes.
Police and fire authorities presume the incident is an explosion related to a propellant, and plan to investigate the exact circumstances and cause once the fire is fully extinguished.
The Hanwha Aerospace Daejeon plant produces large propulsion systems and tactical weapons. An explosion previously occurred at the site in May 2018, killing two people on the scene, with three others who had been receiving treatment also eventually dying. In February the following year, in 2019, an explosion at a propellant demolding chamber killed three workers.
Meanwhile, President Lee Jae-myung, after being briefed on the accident, ordered officials to "mobilize all available resources to respond to the rescue of victims and the handling of the accident." 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 relevant 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 the 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-gu district office.
Following the accident, political circles ahead of the nationwide simultaneous local elections also called for a subdued campaign. Democratic Party leader Jung Cheong-rae issued an urgent directive to candidates and campaign offices nationwide to refrain from using logo songs and choreographed dances. Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, said he would suspend his campaign upon hearing the news. People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk also urged candidates to refrain from logo songs and dances and to conduct a subdued campaign.
