(6th LD) 1 of 14 missing found in cardiac arrest in Daejeon plant fire; 55 injured

▲ Firefighters search for missing people at a car parts plant after a large fire engulfed the building in the central city of Daejeon on March 20, 2026. (Yonhap)

▲ Firefighters continue extinguishing a fire at a car parts plant in the central city of Daejeon on March 20, 2026. (Yonhap)

▲ A fire breaks out at a car parts plant in the central city of Daejeon on March 20, 2026. (Yonhap)

▲ Workers are seen escaping a fire at a car parts plant in the central city of Daejeon on March 20, 2026, in this photo provided by a reader. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ Black smoke rises from a car parts plant in the central city of Daejeon on March 20, 2026, in this photo provided by the National Fire Agency. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(6th LD) car plant-fire

(6th LD) 1 of 14 missing found in cardiac arrest in Daejeon plant fire; 55 injured

(ATTN: UPDATES with latest rescue throughout; RECASTS headline; ADDS new photo)

DAEJEON, March 20 (Yonhap) -- One of the 14 people reported missing in a large fire at a car parts plant in Daejeon on Friday was found in cardiac arrest, leaving 13 others unaccounted for, authorities said.

The fire was reported at around 1:17 p.m., prompting the National Fire Agency to issue a national firefighting mobilization order, which is given when the scale of the fire is deemed to surpass the firefighting capacity of the local government.

At least 55 people were injured, including 24 seriously, with many suffering from toxic gas inhalation or injuries sustained after falling from the building, authorities said.

A total of 170 workers were inside the plant when the blaze broke out, and 14 had been unreachable for hours.

Authorities said they began overnight search operations at around 10:50 p.m. after experts determined it was safe for firefighters to enter the building.

"Following a safety inspection, it has been confirmed that entry is possible," said Nam Deuk-woo, chief of Daedeok Fire Station in Daejeon, during a briefing to Prime Minister Kim Min-seok.

Firefighters have earlier been unable to enter the structure due to concerns it could collapse. Also complicating the firefighting effort is 200 kilograms of sodium inside the building, which could explode if poorly handled.

Kim urged officials to do their utmost in the search and rescue efforts and ensure the safety of rescue teams.

"Please do everything possible to find these 14 people and conduct the search as safely as possible," he said.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety ordered the formation of a central disaster response headquarters to handle the accident in a more coordinated manner and prevent further damage.

"The government will make the utmost effort to manage the situation, carry out recovery work and support the victims," Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung said.

Authorities deployed unmanned firefighting robots to lower the temperatures inside and used drones to locate the missing people and get an overview of the situation after the fire.

Most of people at the factory are believed to have been on the second floor where a break room for employees is located, as the fire broke out around break time.

The parking lot on the third floor and rooftop on the fourth floor have been most severely damaged by the fire.

President Lee Jae Myung ordered authorities to mobilize all available resources to rescue the victims and contain the fire, his office said.

In a social media post later, Lee expressed hope that the missing people will be accounted for as soon as possible.

"Authorities are making all-out efforts to contain the fire and carry out rescue operations," he said. "I hope that the safety of those still unaccounted for will be confirmed as soon as possible."

Lee pledged a thorough government assessment of the damage and to swiftly take steps for necessary support and follow-up measures, including efforts to prevent secondary accidents involving rescue workers on site.

(END)

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved