A devastating fire erupted at a hotel construction site in Busan, South Korea, on Friday morning, claiming the lives of at least six people. The blaze quickly escalated at the site of the high-rise building, which is under construction in the country’s port city.
The fire started around mid-morning and quickly spread, leading to an intense firefighting effort. Busan’s fire service dispatched 90 firefighters to the scene, supported by helicopters to rescue workers who had become trapped inside the multistorey building, including 14 who were stuck on the rooftop. Despite their efforts, the exact number of people inside the building is still being determined by police and local authorities.
Television footage showed thick black smoke billowing from the building, which is expected to house a luxury hotel operated by the Singaporean chain Banyan Tree. More than 100 individuals were evacuated from the area, but it is unclear if all workers were rescued safely. At least seven others have been reported injured, though the total number of casualties and injuries is still being assessed.
In response to the tragedy, South Korea’s Acting President Choi Sang-mok stated that “all available personnel and equipment” are being mobilized to manage the situation. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, but early reports suggest that it may be related to insulation materials stored on the first floor of the construction site.
This fire marks the second major blaze to strike Busan in recent weeks. On January 28, a fire broke out aboard an Air Busan plane shortly after takeoff from Gimhae International Airport. Fortunately, all passengers and crew were safely evacuated from the aircraft. The fire on the plane was later traced to a portable battery pack stored in the overhead compartment.
As emergency teams continue to search the site, local authorities are working to understand the full scope of the tragedy at the hotel construction site and to provide support for those affected.
