20171221 29 dead in Jecheon fire
Korea Dec 21 2017 “Building”
Dead : dead more than 10 Burnout : 1 to 29 Injured : injured more than 10
29 dead in Jecheon fire
Updated: 2017-12-21 20:56
Twenty-nine people were killed and more than 20 injured Thursday in an afternoon blaze in a building in Jecheon, some 170 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
The Chungbuk Fire Service Headquarters said the blaze began in the basement parking lot of an eight-story building at 3:53 p.m. The fire quickly spread through the building housing a fitness center, driving range, public sauna and restaurants.
Fire officials said most of the victims were in the sauna as they were trapped inside of the public bath on the second floor. They said 15 people, including a 50-year-old woman surnamed Kim, were found dead in the sauna.
Twenty people were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.
The authorities said 50 fire engines, 60 firefighters and two firefighting helicopters were dispatched to the scene seven minutes after the fire was reported. They said the death toll could rise as the rescue operation continues.
Fire crews have finished putting out the fire and are expanding their search efforts.
Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon paid an emergency visit to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and directed officials to do their utmost to immediately rescue people. He also dispatched Interior and Safety Minister Kim Boo-kyum to the scene.
President Moon Jae-in expressed his regret for the deadly fire and called for a speedy rescue to minimize casualties. He also ordered that victims should be identified as soon as possible to inform their family members.
Web Source: Korea Times
http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2017/12/113_241315.html