One of the deadliest chemical fires in South Korea has prompted the country's president to call for improved safety measures in the industry after at least 22 people died in a lithium battery factory.
Firefighters battled for hours to bring a blaze under control that broke out in a factory complex building in Hwaseong, about 50 kilometers south of Seoul, on Monday morning. Video footage of the fire showed smoke rising from the factory and explosions. Lithium fires are particularly challenging for firefighters to combat because they are hard to extinguish and release toxic gases.
The authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire, but a single battery cell appeared to catch fire, triggering a series of explosions, said Kim Jin-young, an official with the Hwaseong fire department. Approximately 35,000 lithium battery cells were reportedly stored on the second floor of the factory, where workers conducted battery inspections and packaging procedures, he added.
Among the fatalities were 20 foreign workers, including 18 from China, one from Laos, and one unidentified person, according to the fire department. At least eight other people were injured. One person was still missing late Monday.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol visited the fire site on Monday evening and called for a thorough investigation of the cause as well as comprehensive measures to combat chemical fires that are difficult to extinguish with conventional methods. He also urged steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The factory belongs to Aricell, a South Korean company that manufactures lithium batteries primarily used for smart grid electricity networks and military equipment. Aricell was unavailable for comment.
The fire began around 10:30 AM local time and was brought under control by about 3:00 PM on Monday. Firefighters stated that the rescue efforts were initially hampered by the danger of further explosions.
The lithium batteries manufactured in the Aricell factory differ from lithium-ion batteries used in a variety of consumer products such as electric vehicles, laptops, and mobile phones. Batteries like those produced in the Aricell factory are made from lithium metal and are designed for single, long-lasting use. Lithium-ion batteries, which use lithium compounds for the movement of lithium ions, are rechargeable.
Lithium metal can store large amounts of energy, but it is highly explosive when in contact with air and moisture, requiring strict control of the production environment, said Shin Dong-wook, a professor of materials science and engineering at Hanyang University in South Korea. If the battery casing is damaged, the lithium can be exposed to air, which can lead to intense heat development and a fire, he added.
Lithium battery fires, especially with lithium-ion batteries, are a growing problem in the USA and worldwide, an issue that battery manufacturers have been dealing with for a long time.
Manufacturers of batteries that use lithium metal are usually very cautious in the design and manufacturing process, said Shin. If the batteries are properly manufactured, the risk of explosion should decrease over time as the battery's energy diminishes. Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, are at risk if used or charged improperly, he added.
