South Korean authorities issued an indefinite shutdown order for a lithium battery manufacturer’s factory following a fire that tragically claimed the lives of 23 people.
Three company officials are under investigation for potential violations of industrial safety laws.
One of the Deadliest Industrial Accidents
The fire at Aricell, an unlisted battery maker, on Monday is considered one of the deadliest industrial accidents in recent years.
Despite stricter regulations and ongoing efforts to enhance safety, dozens of workers in South Korea continue to lose their lives on the job each year.
Shutdown and Investigation
The company, located in the industrial hub of Hwaseong, southwest of Seoul, was ordered to cease operations at its sole factory to facilitate inspections, according to labor ministry official Min Gil-soo.
The identities and positions of the Aricell officials under investigation have not been revealed. If found guilty of violating the 2022 industrial safety code, they could face jail time for the fatal accident.
Company Response and Cause of Fire
Aricell’s Chief Executive, Park Soon-kwan, apologized for the incident on Tuesday, asserting that the company had adhered to all safety regulations and training requirements.
The factory, housing 35,000 lithium batteries at the time of the fire, was swiftly engulfed in flames. Fire officials believe the rapid spread of toxic smoke likely rendered workers unconscious within seconds.
Identification and Investigation Challenges
Only three of the deceased, all South Korean men, have been identified so far. Identifying the remaining victims, including 17 Chinese nationals, has been hampered due to the extensive damage to their bodies.
Investigators are now working to determine the cause of the blaze, raising questions about Aricell’s hiring practices for foreign workers on a temporary basis and the adequacy of their safety training.
Company Background and Parent Company Ties
Founded in 2020, Aricell has 48 full-time employees and manufactures lithium primary batteries for sensors and radio communication devices.
Its parent company, S-Connect, supplies lithium-ion battery components to Samsung SDI, one of the country’s major secondary battery manufacturers.