Daejeon: South Korean leaders have ordered a mobilization of resources to deal with the fire at an auto parts factory. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has instructed officials to mobilize all available resources and manpower to expedite assistance to victims and control a massive fire at a car parts factory in Daejeon, in the central part of the country.

According to Thai News Agency, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported that Mr. Lee received a briefing on the fire, which started at approximately 1:17 PM local time (11:17 AM Thailand time). The latest reports indicate at least 50 people have been injured, 35 of whom are in critical condition.

A spokeswoman for the presidential office revealed in a statement that the South Korean leader has ordered relevant agencies to urgently prepare equipment and personnel to control the situation, emphasizing that saving those trapped at the scene is the top priority. The statement also highlighted the need for measures to prevent accidents that may occur to rescue workers during their operations.

The National Fire Agency has announced an escalation of its nationwide firefighting mobilization order, the highest level of emergency response used when fires exceed the capacity of local authorities. Initially, approximately 240 personnel have been deployed to the scene, located about 160 kilometers south of Seoul.

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok instructed officials to prioritize saving lives as a top priority, amid concerns among rescue workers that the number of injured could rise as the fire continues to burn.