At Least 5 Killed & 2 Injured in Explosion at S. Korea’s Hanwha Space Facility

At least five people have been killed and two others injured following an explosion at a Hanwha Space facility in Daejeon, central South Korea, on Monday, according to officials.

South Korea’s KBS World reported that emergency crews rushed to the scene immediately after receiving multiple distress calls. Witnesses described thick smoke and a loud blast coming from the site, with authorities confirming they received around 30 emergency calls before 11 a.m. local time.

Preliminary findings suggest the fire and explosion may have been triggered by a material used in propulsion systems within the facility, though officials stressed that the investigation is still ongoing.

South Korea’s Minister of Employment and Labor, Kim Young-hoon, visited the site shortly after the incident and ordered a full-scale investigation into the cause of the explosion.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor has formed a special task force of more than 20 investigators to examine the circumstances of the incident and determine whether safety regulations were properly followed.

Authorities have also launched a broader review of operational procedures at the facility as emergency teams continue securing the site.