HWASEONG — Three officials of lithium battery manufacturer Aricell were detained on Wednesday for purported breaches of industrial safety regulations following a catastrophic factory fire early this week that resulted in 23 fatalities. The Labor Ministry's special investigation team has mandated a complete suspension of operations at Aricell's devastated facility located 45 kilometers south of Seoul as investigations continue. The fire, which erupted on Monday, predominantly affected foreign employees, killing 23 and injuring eight others.
According to Yonhap News Agency, head of the investigation team, the Aricell officials are suspected of violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. They are subject to legal consequences pending a detailed investigation's outcomes. Furthermore, the ministry has issued directives for around 500 nationwide battery manufacturing facilities to perform urgent safety checks, aiming to forestall similar disasters.