26 Jan 2018 | 02:33 PM UTC
South Korea: Hospital fire leaves 37 people dead in Miryang January 26
Hospital fire in Miryang leaves at least 37 people dead and over 70 injured January 26; death toll expected to rise in the coming hours
Event
A fire at a hospital in Miryang (Gyeongsangnam-do province) broke out on Friday, January 26, leaving at least 37 people dead and over 70 others injured. According to local fire officials, the blaze ignited around 07:30 (local time) and burned throughout the eight-story building until firefighters extinguished it around 10:30. The death toll is reportedly expected to rise in the coming hours. Initial reports indicate that the fire started in a parked vehicle on the hospital's ground floor; South Korean President Moon Jae-in called an emergency meeting on Friday to ascertain its cause and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Lingering transportation disruptions are expected in the vicinity of the hospital in the coming hours.
Advice
Individuals in the affected area are advised to monitor developments to the situation and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.