This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-42828023
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
South Korea hospital in Miryang hit by deadly fire | |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least 33 people have been killed in a fire at a hospital in Miryang, South Korea, say officials. | |
The fire is thought to have started in the emergency room at Sejong Hospital, which specialises in cardiology. | |
About 70 people were also injured, 11 critically, and the death toll is expected to rise further. | |
Reports say around 200 patients were inside the building and neighbouring nursing home at the time - many were safely evacuated. | |
Fire chief Choi Man-woo told reporters the cause of the fire was not yet known. | Fire chief Choi Man-woo told reporters the cause of the fire was not yet known. |
"The victims came both from the hospital and the nursing home. Some died on their way to another hospital," AFP quoted him as saying. | "The victims came both from the hospital and the nursing home. Some died on their way to another hospital," AFP quoted him as saying. |
Mr Choi added that the fire started around 07:30 local time (22:30 GMT on Thursday). | |
According to Yonhap, 93 patients from the nursing home were safely evacuated. | |
Pictures from the scene showed the building engulfed by heavy grey smoke as well as patients being rescued. | |
South Korean President Moon Jae-in is currently holding an emergency meeting to discuss ways of dealing with the fire, said spokesman Cheong Wa Dae. | South Korean President Moon Jae-in is currently holding an emergency meeting to discuss ways of dealing with the fire, said spokesman Cheong Wa Dae. |
Miryang is about 270km (168 miles) south-east of the capital, Seoul. | |
The hospital has been operating since 2008. The nursing home and hospital between them have about 200 beds. | |
About 35 medical staff work at the hospital, according to South Gyeongsang Province officials. | |
The fire comes just a month after 29 people in the South Korean city of Jecheon were killed in a blaze at a public gym. |