By Riyaz ul Khaliq
ISTANBUL (AA) – At least one person died while 21 others were feared trapped inside a three-story battery factory engulfed by heavy flames in South Korea, officials said on Monday.
The major fire broke out at a manufacturing facility of lithium battery maker Aricell in Hwaseong, just south of capital Seoul.
Authorities employed second highest level of emergency and at least 145 firefighters were trying to contain the fire amid fears that casualties could rise. At least four persons were injured, two of them critically.
President Yoon Suk Yeol issued emergency instructions to mobilize all available personnel and equipment to focus on searching for and rescuing people.
Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min also asked relevant government agencies and local governments to mobilize all available resources and personnel to extinguish the fire and rescue survivors.