Five people were killed and two others injured following a devastating explosion at Hanwha Aerospace’s factory in Daejeon, South Korea, on Monday morning.

The blast occurred at 10:59 am local time, with fire authorities receiving around 30 emergency calls reporting a loud detonation and thick smoke billowing from the facility. Of the two survivors, one sustained severe full-body burns while the other suffered minor injuries.

Initial investigations suggest the explosion took place while workers were conducting explosive-related cleaning operations. The Daejeon facility is a critical site for Hanwha Aerospace, where large propulsion engines and tactical surface-to-surface weapon systems are developed and produced.

The site handles propellant mixing and loading operations, involving highly combustible and volatile compounds, making it particularly vulnerable to accidents of this nature.

President Lee Jae Myung has ordered a full probe into the incident and directed government officials to mobilise all available resources for rescue and recovery efforts. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has instructed the interior ministry, fire agency, police, and Daejeon city government to deploy maximum equipment and personnel to extinguish the fire and prevent further casualties.

Hanwha Group and its defence arm Hanwha Aerospace issued an apology, pledging complete cooperation with authorities and promising a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.

The tragedy has revived memories of past incidents at the same facility. In 2018, an explosion killed five workers, while another blast in 2019 claimed three lives. These repeated accidents highlight the inherent risks associated with the handling of sensitive propellants and explosive compounds at such defence production sites.

The Daejeon facility plays a vital role in South Korea’s defence industry, contributing to the development of propulsion systems for multiple-launch rocket systems and missiles, underscoring the strategic importance of its operations.

The incident has raised concerns about workplace safety standards in South Korea’s defence sector, particularly in facilities dealing with hazardous materials. Fire authorities and investigators are expected to focus on whether safety protocols were adequately followed during the cleaning process.

The government has emphasised the need for stringent safety measures to prevent further tragedies at critical defence production sites.

Agencies