A rescue operation is ongoing at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, following a fire on a submarine undergoing maintenance. Reports indicate that a woman in her 60s, employed as a cleaner by a subcontractor, has been found deceased in an area of the submarine that is difficult to access. The fire broke out on April 9 during midday on the Type 214 submarine, named Hong Beom-do, which had 47 workers on board at the time. All personnel were evacuated safely.
Firefighters, numbering over 50 and equipped with 31 firefighting tools, managed to control the blaze within an hour, fully extinguishing it approximately 30 minutes later. Initial investigations suggest that the fire originated in the submarine’s battery room, where electrical switches melted, creating concerns about potential short circuits and further fires. Smoke from the incident temporarily hindered search efforts for the missing worker.
The body of the deceased worker was located beneath the first-floor living quarters but remains in a narrow space, complicating recovery efforts. Officials anticipate that accessing the area will be time-consuming due to its confined nature. The Hong Beom-do, a 65-meter submarine with a displacement of 1,800 tons, was built by Hyundai and commissioned in 2018. It was undergoing maintenance aimed at enhancing its combat capabilities. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
