Busan Hotel Construction Fire Claims Six Lives, Injures 25
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Synopsis
A devastating fire at a hotel construction site in Busan, South Korea, resulted in the deaths of six workers and injuries to 25 others. The incident occurred on February 14, with ongoing investigations into the cause and rescue efforts being prioritized.
Key Takeaways
- Six workers tragically died in a construction site fire.
- 25 individuals were injured during the incident.
- The fire was believed to have started from insulating material.
- Rescue operations involved helicopters to save trapped workers.
- Authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze.
Busan, Feb 14 (NationPress) Six workers have tragically lost their lives and 25 others sustained injuries in a fire at a hotel construction site in South Korea's southeastern port city of Busan on Friday, officials reported.
The blaze ignited at the Banyan Tree hotel, which is currently under construction, around 10:50 a.m., likely due to insulating materials stacked near a swimming pool located on the first floor of one of the three buildings at the site, according to the Busan firefighting headquarters.
By approximately 1:30 p.m., most of the flames had been extinguished, firefighters confirmed.
“Upon our arrival, thick black smoke filled the building's interior,” stated Park Heung-mo, a rescue official from the Busan firefighting agency, during a press briefing.
“The victims were discovered at the site of the fire, and it’s believed they could not escape due to the presence of flammable materials near the exit,” he added.
Firefighters utilized helicopters to rescue individuals trapped inside, but, unfortunately, six were later declared dead. Fourteen others were successfully rescued from the roof, while over a hundred workers were evacuated from the area.
“We are currently conducting a thorough search of the building's interior,” another firefighting official commented. “The police and local authorities are working to ascertain the exact number of workers present.”
Construction of the luxury resort hotel commenced in April 2022, with the opening anticipated in the first half of this year.
Authorities have initiated an investigation into the cause of the fire.
Previously, the fire response level was escalated to Level 2 on the three-tiered system due to increasing concerns regarding casualties.
Reports indicate that hundreds of workers were on-site when the fire erupted, as per the Yonhap news agency.
South Korean Acting President Choi Sang-mok has ordered the mobilization of all available personnel and resources to aid in rescue operations.
“Ensure comprehensive search and rescue efforts to mitigate casualties while prioritizing the safety of firefighters,” Choi instructed.
