Prime Minister Han Seong-sook [Yonhap]
Prime Minister Han Seong-sook [Yonhap]

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook on Friday issued an emergency directive in response to a factory fire in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, ordering the National Fire Agency to mobilize all available firefighting personnel and equipment and do its utmost in on-site operations and the search for casualties.

After being briefed on the situation, Han said the Ministry of Interior and Safety, the Korean National Police Agency, local governments and other relevant agencies must spare no effort in supporting those injured in the fire, according to the prime minister's office.

Han also urged firefighters battling the blaze to take precautions against secondary accidents while carrying out their duties at the scene.

The fire broke out at around 11:44 a.m. Friday at a factory producing paint raw materials in Cheonan. Fire authorities found one body at the scene and are continuing to search the area, as additional people are believed to be missing.


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