Daejeon Factory Fire: 14 Lives Lost and 700 Million Won in Emergency Relief Fund

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[iNews24 reporter Park Eun-kyung] The government said it will urgently provide Daedeok District with 70 million KRW (52,500 USD) in disaster relief funding to support victims and bereaved families of the factory fire in Daedeok-gu, Daejeon.

On the 22nd, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced it would release emergency disaster relief funds to cover lodging, relief supplies for bereaved families, and to support volunteers’ on-site relief efforts.

The funds will also cover operating costs for the Central Joint Disaster Victim Support Center established to assist victims. Thirty-two organizations will take part in the center, including the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the National Forensic Service, the General Insurance Association, and the Korea Legal Aid Corporation.

Earlier, at about 1:17 p.m. on the 20th, a fire broke out at Safety Industry, an auto parts manufacturer in Munpyeong-dong, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon. Authorities have confirmed 74 casualties: 14 people killed, 25 seriously injured (including one firefighter), and 35 sustaining minor injuries (including one firefighter).

The plant comprised two three-story main buildings, one single-story building, and three single-story annexes. It had been operating since receiving occupancy approval in December 2010.

Investigators are still working to determine the exact cause. Experts say thick black smoke from cutting oil and accumulated grease likely reduced visibility, and that an improvised mezzanine structure and stored explosive materials may have allowed the fire to spread more rapidly.

The government formed the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, led by Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung, to coordinate the response. Officials set up a joint mourning tent at Daejeon City Hall and released an emergency disaster special grant of 1 billion KRW (750,000 USD), while pledging to allow bereaved families to participate in the investigation into the cause.

Joint on-site examinations to determine the cause have begun. Twelve personnel from the fire service, police, and the National Forensic Service started the first joint inspection on the morning of the 21st, concentrating on the area suspected to be the ignition point.

In the wake of the mass-casualty incident, civic groups and labor organizations in Daejeon have called on the government and city authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and to implement effective measures to prevent similar tragedies.

On the 22nd, the Daejeon Civic and Social Organizations Coalition said in a statement that the response uncovered spaces not shown on facility blueprints or registers, and that sandwich-panel construction and illegal extensions appeared to have exacerbated the fire. The coalition demanded a full investigation into the cause and the immediate implementation of follow-up measures.