Skip to site menu Skip to page content

Daily Newsletter

24 June 2024

Daily Newsletter

24 June 2024

South Korean battery plant fire kills 16

Five still missing

Dani Cole June 24 2024

A fire at a lithium battery plant in South Korea has killed at least 16 people, with five still missing, officials said.

It was thought exploding battery cells caused the blaze which started at 10:30am local time on Monday 24 June.

The factory, run by battery maker Aricell, is located in Hwaseong, south of Seoul.

The firm produces lithium primary batteries for sensors and radio communication devices which are used in EVs and laptops.

It housed around 35,000 battery cells on its second floor with more stored in other parts of the factory.

Local fire official Kim Jin-young said it was difficult to enter the site initially "due to fears of additional explosions".

Lithium battery fires are difficult to extinguish due to thermal runaway, a phenomenon whereby a chain reaction occurs resulting in an uncontrollable increase in temperature.

Uncover your next opportunity with expert reports

Steer your business strategy with key data and insights from our latest market research reports and company profiles. Not ready to buy? Start small by downloading a sample report first.

Newsletters by sectors

close

Sign up to the newsletter: In Brief

Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Thank you for subscribing

View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network.

close