South Korea Hospital In Miryang Hit By Deadly Fire

At least 33 people have been killed and dozens injured 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.

Reports say around 200 patients were inside the building and adjoining nursing home at the time – many were safely evacuated.

It is South Korea’s deadliest fire in almost a decade and the toll is expected to rise.

Several of the injured people were reported to be in a critical condition.

Image captionThe fire is thought to have started in an emergency room

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.

Mr Choi said the fire started around 07:30 local time (22:30 GMT on Thursday).

According to the Yonhap news agency, 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.

Image captionThe cause of the fire is not yet known

Image captionScores of patients were inside the building and a neighbouring nursing home

South Korean President Moon Jae-in arranged 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 Jecheonwere killed in a blaze at a public gym.

Courtesy : BBC