SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) – Tragedy struck South Korea on Thursday night when a fire broke out at a hotel in Bucheon, a city on the outskirts of Seoul. The blaze resulted in seven fatalities and left 12 others injured, according to local authorities.
The fire started in a room on the eighth floor of the nine-story hotel, which lies approximately 25 kilometers (15 miles) west of Seoul. The Seoul Interior Ministry provided a statement revealing that the fire was contained and extinguished roughly three hours after it ignited. The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Three of the 12 injured individuals are reported to be in serious condition.
The hotel, which houses 64 rooms, had 27 guests staying when the fire broke out, according to information from the Yonhap News Agency. While the flames did not spread extensively within the building, the resulting smoke was enough to cause casualties, leading to a grim outcome.
This incident comes just months after another significant fire in South Korea. In June, a massive blaze at a lithium battery plant resulted in the deaths of 23 people, marking one of the country’s worst factory disasters in recent years.
The Yoanhap News agency has provided a photograph capturing firefighters at the entrance of the affected hotel, highlighting the dire situation and the swift response by emergency services.
This tragic event draws attention to ongoing concerns around fire safety and emergency preparedness in South Korea, especially in large buildings housing multiple occupants.
