At least five people were killed and two were injured in Monday’s blast in the operation of the South Korean arms company Hanwha Aerospace in the city of Daejeon, located approximately 150 kilometers south of Seoul. This was reported by the Jonhap agency with reference to local firefighters.
- At least five people were killed in an explosion at the Hanwha Aerospace plant.
- The explosion occurred on Monday morning in the city of Daejeon near Seoul.
- The fire after the explosion in the complex was still not completely extinguished.
- The President and the Prime Minister ordered the deployment of all resources for rescue.
- The Daejeon plant develops advanced weapons and space technology.
The explosion was reported at 10:59 a.m. local time (03:59 a.m. CET). Police and firefighters believe the explosion occurred on the first floor of the complex. The fire at the site has still not been fully extinguished, and the exact circumstances of the explosion and the extent of the damage are not yet known, a Hanwha Aerospace spokesman told AFP. The investigation into the causes of the accident will begin after the fire is completely extinguished.
South Korean President Jae-myong I and Prime Minister Kim Min-suk ordered the mobilization of all available resources to extinguish the fire and rescue operations. The Prime Minister called on the Ministry of the Interior, firefighters, police and local government to ensure that the disaster does not claim more victims.
Hanwha Aerospace is one of South Korea’s largest arms manufacturersartillery systems and components for the aviation industry. The plant in Daejeon focuses on research and development, especially of advanced weapon technologies and systems usable in space.
