Dozens injured in fire in Daejeon auto parts factory
Published: 20 Mar. 2026, 14:58
Updated: 20 Mar. 2026, 16:40
![Smoke rises from a factory in Munpyeong-dong, Daedeok District, Daejeon, after a fire broke out at around 1:17 p.m. on March 20. [NEWS1]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/03/20/74323eed-77f9-41ab-bb4d-e6819a2ea392.jpg)
Smoke rises from a factory in Munpyeong-dong, Daedeok District, Daejeon, after a fire broke out at around 1:17 p.m. on March 20. [NEWS1]
A fire broke out at an auto parts factory in the Munpyeong-dong neighborhood of Daedeok District, Daejeon, at around 1:17 p.m. on Friday, leaving dozens injured.
As of 2:30 p.m., 35 people were reported seriously injured and 15 others suffered minor injuries. As of 3:30 p.m., authorities confirmed that 24 were seriously injured and 29 sustained minor injuries.
As of 4 p.m., 14 people remain unaccounted for. There are also concerns that the number of casualties could rise, as some of the missing may still be inside the building.
Fire authorities issued a Level 2 response at around 1:31 p.m. and deployed 46 apparatuses and 115 personnel to contain the blaze. The number rose to 70 apparatuses and some 240 personnel as of press time.
Firefighting efforts are being conducted externally only, as sodium reacts with water and can cause gas explosions, making it difficult to suppress the fire from inside, according to authorities.
The company where the fire broke out is the headquarters of Anjun Industrial, an auto parts manufacturer that produces engine valves for automobiles and ships. It has around 350 employees, and about 200 workers were reportedly inside the factory at the time of the incident.
The National Fire Agency issued a nationwide mobilization order at 1:53 p.m., citing concerns over potential mass casualties. The fire agency’s commissioner, Kim Seung-ryong, ordered “all available firefighting resources to be mobilized to minimize casualties,” instructing authorities to prioritize rescue operations and firefighter safety.
Fire and rescue units, including pump trucks, from South Chungcheong, North Chungcheong and Sejong, were dispatched to the scene, as well as two unmanned firefighting robots and a high-capacity foam suppressant system. The agency activated an emergency response team and dispatched a situation officer to the site.
![Smoke rises from a factory in Munpyeong-dong, Daedeok District, Daejeon, after a fire broke out at around 1:17 p.m. on March 20. [NEWS1]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/03/20/a6161a69-29b6-41e7-a13c-72db70e01bbf.jpg)
Smoke rises from a factory in Munpyeong-dong, Daedeok District, Daejeon, after a fire broke out at around 1:17 p.m. on March 20. [NEWS1]
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok instructed the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Fire Agency to “deploy all available equipment and personnel to focus on rescue and firefighting efforts.” He also directed related agencies, including the Daejeon Metropolitan Government and the National Police Agency, to take necessary measures such as traffic control and evacuations to prevent secondary damage, while emphasizing the safety of firefighters.
Interior and Safety Minister Yun Ho-jung also issued an emergency directive urging relevant agencies — including the National Fire Agency, National Police Agency, Daejeon city government and Daedeok District Office — to “mobilize all available resources for rescue and firefighting efforts.” He added that every effort must be made to prevent accidents involving firefighters and called on police to maintain strict control around the scene.
Authorities plan to investigate the exact cause of the fire and the extent of the damage once it is brought under control.
Update, March 20: Added details of casualties, fire containment efforts and information about the company.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY CHO MUN-GYU [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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