Seoul: A tragic incident unfolded in Bucheon, a city adjacent to Seoul, South Korea, as seven individuals lost their lives in a fire at a hotel, according to reports from local media, which have been corroborated by firefighting authorities.
The conflagration originated in a room situated on the eighth floor of a nine-story establishment, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals and the hospitalization of over a dozen others, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.
The victims are currently receiving medical attention at nearby hospitals, with three individuals sustaining serious injuries. However, it has been confirmed that they are not in a critical condition. Among the injured, several have suffered severe injuries due to smoke inhalation.
The Yonhap report further details that some individuals perished after leaping from the windows and onto inflatable mattresses, while another woman succumbed to cardiac arrest while descending the hotel stairs, subsequently being declared deceased at a hospital.
In response to the incident, Interior Minister Lee Sang-min has issued a call for an immediate and comprehensive response from firefighting authorities and the local government, utilizing all available personnel and resources to both extinguish the fire and conduct rescue operations.
The South Korean public broadcaster, KBS, has confirmed that the deceased individuals were all citizens of South Korea.
The incident occurred when the building was hosting 23 guests, with many of the fatalities being discovered in the guest rooms, hallways, and stairwells.
