A fire at a lithium battery plant in South Korea has killed at least 16 people, with five still missing, officials said.

It was thought exploding battery cells caused the blaze which started at 10:30am local time on Monday 24 June.

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The factory, run by battery maker Aricell, is located in Hwaseong, south of Seoul.

The firm produces lithium primary batteries for sensors and radio communication devices which are used in EVs and laptops.

It housed around 35,000 battery cells on its second floor with more stored in other parts of the factory.

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Local fire official Kim Jin-young said it was difficult to enter the site initially “due to fears of additional explosions”.

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Lithium battery fires are difficult to extinguish due to thermal runaway, a phenomenon whereby a chain reaction occurs resulting in an uncontrollable increase in temperature.