Seoul, June 1 (IANS): Four people were killed and two others injured after an explosion at Hanwha Aerospace’s factory in the central city of Daejeon in South Korea on Monday, with authorities receiving a report of the explosion at 10:59 am and fire authorities dispatching to the scene to put out a blaze at the site. Police and fire officials believe the explosion occurred on the first floor of the factory and plan to investigate the exact cause of the incident once the blaze is extinguished, with fire authorities issuing a level-1 response at around 11:17 am local time. Hanwha Aerospace is the country’s leading aerospace and defence company, according to Xinhua news agency. South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok ordered the full mobilisation of equipment and personnel for rescue efforts amid concern there could be more casualties, directing the interior ministry, fire agency, police and the Daejeon city government to mobilise all available equipment and personnel to put out the fire and rescue victims so as to ensure no additional casualties occur.
The Prime Minister further directed the labour ministry, science ministry, aerospace agency and other related ministries and agencies to provide full cooperation for rescue efforts. Rescue and relief operations are currently underway as authorities work to confirm the exact number of casualties, with further details awaited.