Rocket propellant blast in Daejeon leaves two injured as authorities launch investigation into cause.
Image:AP News
Five people were killed and two others injured after an explosion and fire at a rocket propellant production line at a Hanwha Aerospace facility in Daejeon, South Korea, officials said.
Fire authorities said the two survivors managed to escape on their own, including one worker who suffered severe burns.
Officials have not yet identified the victims due to the extent of the damage. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, though initial reports suggest it occurred during cleaning work involving explosive materials.
The company confirmed that two of the deceased were temporary workers in their 20s, and all victims were employed at the plant.
Hanwha Aerospace CEO Son Jae-il issued an apology, expressing condolences to the families and pledging full cooperation with investigators.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung ordered emergency response measures and called for a full investigation into the incident.
Shares of Hanwha Aerospace and its parent company Hanwha Corp fell following the news.
Authorities said access to detailed factory layouts is restricted due to national security regulations, which may affect early stages of the investigation.
