11 killed, 3 missing in South Korean factory fire

ISTANBUL

At least 11 people were killed and three went missing after a fire broke out at a factory in South Korea, Yonhap News Agency reported Saturday.

Authorities found nine unidentified bodies on the third floor of the factory in Daejeon, in what appeared to be a gym area.

A tenth victim, an unidentified man, was found at the entrance of a second-floor lounge the previous evening and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 11th victim was found around Saturday noon.

Police and fire authorities have begun identification procedures, including fingerprinting and DNA testing, while search operations for the four missing persons are ongoing.

Fifty-nine people sustained serious injuries in the blaze, which broke out Friday at a facility in the Munpyeong-dong area.

A total of 170 workers were inside the plant when the fire was reported Friday afternoon.

Firefighters were initially unable to enter the structure due to collapse risks and 200 kilograms (440 pounds) of sodium inside the building that could explode. The fire was fully extinguished after about 10 hours and 30 minutes, according to authorities.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.