This article is from the source 'guardian' 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 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/26/south-korea-hospital-fire-blaze-firefighters-miryang

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
South Korea hospital fire: dozens feared dead and many injured South Korea hospital fire: dozens dead and many injured
(35 minutes later)
Reports say as many as 33 people have been killed in the blaze at the building in MiryangReports say as many as 33 people have been killed in the blaze at the building in Miryang
Justin McCurry and agenciesJustin McCurry and agencies
Fri 26 Jan 2018 03.43 GMTFri 26 Jan 2018 03.43 GMT
First published on Fri 26 Jan 2018 01.59 GMTFirst published on Fri 26 Jan 2018 01.59 GMT
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
View more sharing optionsView more sharing options
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
CloseClose
At least 33 people have been killed in a blaze at a hospital in South Korea, with dozens more injured, in one of the country’s deadliest fires in recent years.At least 33 people have been killed in a blaze at a hospital in South Korea, with dozens more injured, in one of the country’s deadliest fires in recent years.
Videos posted on social media showed a patient hanging on to a rope dangling from a helicopter above the hospital in the south-eastern city of Miryang, and another crawling out of a window to climb down a ladder.Videos posted on social media showed a patient hanging on to a rope dangling from a helicopter above the hospital in the south-eastern city of Miryang, and another crawling out of a window to climb down a ladder.
Other footage showed a helicopter flying above the building, which was engulfed by heavy grey smoke and surrounded by multiple fire trucks.Other footage showed a helicopter flying above the building, which was engulfed by heavy grey smoke and surrounded by multiple fire trucks.
The six-storey structure houses a nursing home as well as the hospital.The six-storey structure houses a nursing home as well as the hospital.
A spokesman for the national fire agency said more than 70 other people had been injured, 13 of them critically.A spokesman for the national fire agency said more than 70 other people had been injured, 13 of them critically.
About 200 patients are were inside the hospital building and adjacent nursing home when the fire broke out at about 7.30am local time, the Yonhap news agency said.About 200 patients are were inside the hospital building and adjacent nursing home when the fire broke out at about 7.30am local time, the Yonhap news agency said.
The South Korean president, Moon Jae-in, called an emergency meeting with senior aides to discuss the response to the fire, according to Yonhap.The South Korean president, Moon Jae-in, called an emergency meeting with senior aides to discuss the response to the fire, according to Yonhap.
“Two nurses said they had seen fire suddenly erupting in the emergency room,” said fire chief Choi Man-woo, but the cause of the blaze was not immediately known.“Two nurses said they had seen fire suddenly erupting in the emergency room,” said fire chief Choi Man-woo, but the cause of the blaze was not immediately known.
All the remaining patients had been evacuated, he added.All the remaining patients had been evacuated, he added.
“The victims came both from the hospital and the nursing home. Some died on their way to another hospital.”“The victims came both from the hospital and the nursing home. Some died on their way to another hospital.”
Pictures showed survivors being brought out wrapped in blankets, and firefighters picking their way through the blackened shell of the building after the blaze was extinguished.Pictures showed survivors being brought out wrapped in blankets, and firefighters picking their way through the blackened shell of the building after the blaze was extinguished.
Around 200 people were in the Sejong Hospital building when the fire broke out, police said.Around 200 people were in the Sejong Hospital building when the fire broke out, police said.
The fire came only a month after 29 people were killed in an inferno at a fitness club in the South Korean city of Jecheon - a disaster blamed on insufficient emergency exits, flammable finishing materials and illegally parked cars blocking access to emergency vehicles.The fire came only a month after 29 people were killed in an inferno at a fitness club in the South Korean city of Jecheon - a disaster blamed on insufficient emergency exits, flammable finishing materials and illegally parked cars blocking access to emergency vehicles.
Friday’s fire is South Korea’s worst since 2008, when a blaze at a warehouse in the city of Incheon killed 40 workers.Friday’s fire is South Korea’s worst since 2008, when a blaze at a warehouse in the city of Incheon killed 40 workers.
The worst fire in recent times was an arson attack on a subway station in the southeastern city of Daegu in 2003 that killed 192 people dead and injured 150 others.The worst fire in recent times was an arson attack on a subway station in the southeastern city of Daegu in 2003 that killed 192 people dead and injured 150 others.
South KoreaSouth Korea
Asia PacificAsia Pacific
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content