SEOUL — A massive factory fire that began after several lithium batteries exploded has killed at least 16 people in South Korea.

The blaze broke out on Monday morning at the Aricell plant in Hwaseong city, about 45km (28 miles) south of the capital Seoul.

Local television footage showed small explosions going off as firefighters sought to put out the fire. A part of the roof had collapsed.

South Korea is a leading producer of lithium batteries, which are used in many items from electric vehicles to laptops.

Hwaseong's medical authority, Sim Jung-sik, said 16 people have been confirmed dead while seven others were injured.

The Aricell factory housed an estimated 35,000 battery cells on its second floor, where the batteries were inspected and packaged, with more stored elsewhere.

Local fire official Kim Jin-young said the fire began when a series of battery cells exploded, though it remains unclear what triggered the initial explosions.

About 100 workers were on the premises at the time.

Kim said it was difficult to enter the site initially "due to fears of additional explosions".

As a lithium fire can react intensely with water, firefighters had to use dry sand to extinguish the blaze, which took several hours to get under control.

Lithium batteries are at risk of exploding if they are damaged or overheated. While a fire can be extinguished, it remains at risk of reigniting without warning due to the chemical reaction. — BBC