At Least 17 Chinese Killed in Korean Lithium Battery Plant Fire

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What’s new: Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming has urged the authorities in Seoul to find out as soon as possible the cause of Monday’s fire at a local lithium battery factory, which has killed at least 22 people, most of them Chinese nationals.

The blaze broke out around 10:30 a.m. at battery-maker Aricell’s three-story plant in Hwaseong, 45 kilometers (28 miles) south of Seoul, Yonhap News Agency reported.

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At least 22 people, mostly Chinese nationals, died in a fire at Aricell’s lithium battery plant in Hwaseong, South Korea.
17 Chinese nationals, one Laotian, and one still missing; eight others injured, including one Chinese national.
Aricell produces lithium thionyl chloride batteries, which are generally considered low-risk in terms of production safety.

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Who’s Who

Aricell: Aricell is a battery manufacturer that primarily produces lithium thionyl chloride batteries, which are non-rechargeable and typically used in sensors, smart meters, and ETC devices. The company operates a three-story plant in Hwaseong, South Korea, where a recent fire broke out, causing significant fatalities and injuries.

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What Happened When

2024-06-24：: A fire broke out around 10:30 a.m. at battery-maker Aricell’s three-story plant in Hwaseong.

Early Tuesday, 2024-06-25：: China’s embassy in Seoul published a statement that at least 17 Chinese nationals were among the dead based on preliminary assessments.