DAEJEON: An explosion and subsequent fire at a South Korean defence factory operated by Hanwha Aerospace has killed five workers and injured two others, officials confirmed on Monday.
The incident occurred at a production line handling rocket propellant in the city of Daejeon. Authorities said the blast triggered a fire at the facility, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
Emergency officials reported that two survivors managed to escape the site, including one who suffered severe burns. The identities of the deceased have not yet been confirmed due to the condition of the bodies.
Company officials said the accident may have occurred during a cleaning process involving explosive materials used in rocket propellant production. The firm expressed condolences to the victims’ families and pledged full cooperation with the investigation.
The factory, which produces propulsion systems for defence applications, is operated under strict security controls, and details of its layout are restricted under national security laws.
South Korean authorities have launched a full investigation, while the government has called for all available resources to be deployed in response to the incident.
