Police and Labor Authorities to Conduct Joint Inspection of Daejeon Factory Fire Site with 74 Casualties on March 23

Two Representatives of Victims' Families to Attend Initial Forensic Inspection

In relation to the fire at an automobile parts factory in the Daedeok Industrial Complex in Daejeon, which resulted in 74 casualties, the police have launched a full-scale investigation by forming a large-scale dedicated task force.

Jae-seok Kang, Head of the Scientific Investigation Division at Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency, is briefing on the related matters after completing a preliminary joint investigation at the site of the Daejeon Safety Industry fire disaster on the 22nd. Photo by Yonhap News

The Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency announced on March 22 that it has organized a dedicated investigation team of 131 members and has begun a joint investigation with labor authorities into those involved. The police have secured CCTV footage from both inside and outside the factory and have questioned 16 company officials.

The police plan to expand the investigation, focusing on whether there were illegal extensions or renovations to the second-floor rest area where most of the deaths occurred, as well as deficiencies in fire and safety management and the adequacy of evacuation procedures. In particular, since the factory—which handles cutting oil, cleaning oil, and sodium—was notified last month for violating the Hazardous Materials Safety Control Act, the police also plan to thoroughly examine the entire related production processes.

Relevant agencies, including the police, fire department, and labor authorities, will conduct the first joint forensic inspection at 10:30 a.m. on March 23. Two representatives of the victims' families will observe the process. The inspection will focus on the internal first floor of the factory, which is presumed to be the origin of the fire, as well as the building's structure and whether the fire safety systems functioned properly.

The identification of the victims is also progressing quickly. Most autopsies have been completed, and identities are expected to be confirmed as early as March 23 through DNA testing and other procedures. Once identification is complete, funeral arrangements will proceed according to the wishes of the bereaved families.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.