22 dead after lithium battery plant fire in South Korea: ‘Not enough time to respond’

A lithium battery factory in South Korea was set on fire after multiple batteries exploded on Monday, killing 22 workers, most of them Chinese nationals, fire officials said.

The fire and a series of explosions ripped through the factory run by primary battery manufacturer Aricell in Hwaseong, an industrial cluster southwest of the capital Seoul.

The victims likely succumbed to extremely toxic gas within seconds of the blaze getting out of control, the officials said. It was unclear what caused the explosions and the fire was largely extinguished in about six hours.

#southkorea #fire #aricell #hwaseong

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[sonder]

Lithium battery explosions are under reported. Happens alot.

[Suzette-esbe]

These are in your car. Imagine getting one for your daughter for her graduation....dont

[RoyalUnicorn.]

My condolences to the families that lost loved ones.

[trentmulford]

Remember to always keep coping and tell everybody that no matter how devastating or destructive our mining is for lithium it will still save the environment somehow just can’t give an actual explanation

[mobius]

"Smoke and the fire blaze spread within 15 seconds and the victims likely succumbed after taking one or two breaths..."

This is not the answer.

[kevinbratcher]

This is what happens with batteries, it’s like playing with fire, this is not how you plan a safe future.

[vickiserre]

How about the danger from the fumes too⁉️

[ThePrufessa]

I'm aware of how ev batteries are difficult to extinguish when they catch fire. Never even thought about the factory catching on fire.

[ARolls-ddzd]

This is why EV cars will not take over. Lithium batteries give off toxic gas when they burn.

[agneslong]

How many lives have been lost on airliners due to lithium batteries.

[Worklikeyoushouldbe]

We warned you! every fuel resource is lethal one way or another...

[punkagrrlzero]

I guess this is why they don't allow liquids near work stations.

[lwzfog]

‘saViNg tHE eNviRoNmEnT’ one lithium battery at a time 🤦🏽‍♂️

[Billy]

I’m Korean from America hope my people are okay

[ramonarodriguez]

For a small and developed country, South Korea seems to have incidents of significant fatalities. So sad for the families of the departed. 🙏

[vickilindberg]

Spinsired by "Hot Sale Summer." Why I can't cheer lead for lithium batteries.

[air_owl-warlock]

How Horrible, 22 Total! Poor Souls. RIP To The 22 Losses. Pray 🙏 And Respect To The Family Losses.

[thanosianthemadtitanic]

such is the price to pay for your brand new teslas and EVs

[alphaomega]

Tragic. But in America we have much more strict laws, regulations.

[HalRey]

I work in a lithium ion battery plant. Never really wanted an EV before, but after working there I am completely convinced they are driving mini bombs. We caught on fire once and it took the whole county to put it out. Started from a sliver of metal falling between modules from torquing a bolt. Couldnt imagine what one of those bad boys would do in a car accident