An explosion in a factory of the South Korean arms and aeronautics group Hanwha Aerospace, described as accidental by the company, left five people dead on Monday, according to a new report.
A previous report reported four deaths.
The explosion, the cause of which is still undetermined, was reported late in the morning inside this industrial site in Daejeon (center, about 150 kilometers south of Seoul).
Hanwha Aerospace is a leading South Korean defense manufacturer specializing in the production of guided weapons, artillery systems and aerospace components.
Its Daejeon site is mainly dedicated to research and development, covering advanced weapons technologies, missile systems, solid propellant rocket engines.
“In total, out of seven workers on site, five died and two managed to escape. Of the two survivors, one suffered burns over most of his body and is in critical condition,” said an official from the Yuseong district where the site is located.
Firefighters said the investigation into the origins of the fire was continuing.
“We are deeply shocked and overcome with grief by the tragic accident that occurred this morning (…) which cost the lives of five of our valuable employees,” Hanwha Aerospace said in a statement.
“The precise circumstances surrounding the accident as well as the extent of the damage are currently being verified. The Hanwha Group is committed to conducting a thorough investigation into the causes of this accident,” the statement added.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has instructed officials to mobilize all available resources to contain the fire, his office said.
