3 injured in cosmetic material factory explosion in southern city of Yeongcheon
Fire engulfs a cosmetic material factory in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, Sunday. Courtesy of the Gyeongbuk Fire Service Headquarters
Three employees were injured, one of them seriously, and another was reported missing after a cosmetic material factory in the southeastern city of Yeongcheon exploded and caught fire Sunday, firefighters said.
Firefighters received a report at around 12:42 p.m. that a chemical factory producing materials for cosmetics had exploded and caused a fire at an industrial complex in Yeongcheon, about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
Among the 13 employees who were working at the factory, the incident left one employee seriously injured and two others with relatively minor injuries, according to police. One employee was reported missing.
A search operation is under way, as fire authorities put out the main flames at 6:13 p.m.
Firefighters initially had difficulty entering the factory due to intense flames and toxic smoke, prompting authorities to mobilize firefighting helicopters to lead efforts to extinguish the blaze.
The factory produces chemicals, including hydrogen peroxide, used in cosmetics. Following the explosion, a convenience store about 300 meters away had its windows shattered, while residents in nearby apartments reported feeling shaking.
Fire authorities were investigating the cause of the fire and assessing the extent of the damage.