The fire erupted around 10:30 am at the facility owned by Aricell, a major battery manufacturer. Firefighters extinguished most of the flames, but dangerous conditions prevented them from entering the building to conduct a full search.

"Rescue efforts are on hold," said firefighter Kim Jin-young. "With 21 workers unaccounted for, we're working with the company to locate them through contact information."

Initial reports suggest 67 people were working at the plant when the fire broke out.

The blaze reportedly originated from an explosion in a second-floor battery cell, triggering a chain reaction. The building housed an estimated 35,000 battery cells on the second floor alone, with additional storage in other areas.

The intense heat and volatile nature of lithium batteries presented a unique challenge for firefighters.

"Water is ineffective in extinguishing lithium battery fires," explained Kim. "Our crews are currently using dry sand to control the flames."

Lithium batteries, while essential for powering devices like laptops and electric vehicles, can be highly dangerous. Their explosive potential necessitates strict regulations, particularly for air travel.

South Korea, a global leader in high-tech manufacturing, has heavily invested in industries like semiconductors and batteries. This incident raises concerns about safety protocols within these rapidly growing sectors. (ILKHA)