Lithium battery safety concerns raised by ARICELL fire and explosion in South Korea

On June 24, a fire broke out at the ARICELL factory in Sinmyeon, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, once again raising concerns about the safety of lithium batteries. The fire was reportedly caused by the explosion of lithium thionyl chloride (Li/SOCl2) batteries in the factory, injuring eight people and killing 22.

According to fire officials, the fire broke out around 10:30 a.m. when workers were inspecting and packaging batteries. The batteries exploded and caught fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

In a televised briefing, local fire official Kim Jin-young said 18 Chinese, two South Koreans and one Laotian died. He said the nationality of one of the dead could not be immediately verified.

Cause of the incident

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