▲ This photo, taken March 21, 2026, shows the aftermath of a massive blaze that broke out at an auto parts plant in Daejeon, about 160 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)

car parts plant-fire

Unauthorized renovations blamed for high casualties in fire at car parts plant in Daejeon

DAEJEON, March 23 (Yonhap) -- Unauthorized structural changes are suspected to have led to a high number of casualties in an auto parts plant fire in the central city of Daejeon last week, officials have said.

The massive blaze, which broke out Friday, has left 14 people killed and 60 others injured. Firefighters fully extinguished the flames after nearly 11 hours.

Of the casualties, nine people were found dead inside a gym that doubled as the factory's break room. The area, which was not part of the structure's floor plan, appears to have been built without authorities' approval.

Officials believe workers who had been resting in the area faced difficulties in evacuating when the fire broke out due to its complex layout.

Authorities are looking into the exact cause of the fire, with oil mist and residue at the plant suspected to have added fuel to the blaze.

An industrial safety union official said the union had asked the company to improve its fire safety measures, adding that it had voiced concerns about a build-up of oil mist and residue.

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