South Korean investigators search in factory ruins after fire killed 23, mostly Chinese migrants

By HYUNG-JIN KIM
Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Forensic and other experts are combing through the charred ruins of a factory building near South Korea’s capital to find the cause of a fire that killed 23 people, mostly Chinese migrant workers. It was one of the country’s deadliest blazes in years. More than 100 people were working at the factory in Hwaseong city, just south of Seoul, when the fire started. Security cameras showed smoke engulfing the worksite soon after sparks were detected from a site where lithium batteries were stored. The chief of the battery manufacturer made a public apology and said the company would assist bereaved families  Monday’s blaze is one of the deadliest in South Korea in recent years.