Six people have lost their lives, and 25 others sustained injuries after a fire broke out at a hotel construction site in Busan, South Korea, on Friday, according to the National Fire Agency.
The blaze started at the unfinished Banyan Tree Hotel in Gijang-gun, with emergency services receiving the first report at around 10:51 a.m.
Firefighters arrived within nine minutes and launched rescue operations, using helicopters to evacuate workers stranded on the 12th floor. By 1:44 p.m., six individuals who had suffered cardiac arrest were pronounced dead.
Authorities confirmed that 25 people suffered minor injuries due to smoke inhalation, while 14 others were rescued from the roof.
Over 100 construction workers inside the building managed to escape safely. By 1:34 p.m., most of the fire had been brought under control, allowing officials to begin a search of the site. However, authorities stated they were still working to confirm the exact number of workers present when the fire broke out.
In response, the Busan Fire Headquarters issued a level two emergency alert, prompting a large-scale operation involving personnel from up to 14 fire stations. A total of 124 fire trucks, 352 firefighters, and three helicopters were deployed to contain the fire and assist in rescue efforts.
While the cause of the fire is yet to be determined, initial reports suggest it may have been linked to insulating materials stored near a swimming pool on the first floor.
Following the incident, the Ministry of Interior and Safety sent an on-site situation manager to assess the damage. Acting President Choi Sang-mok directed emergency services to mobilise all available resources for rescue efforts, stressing the importance of preventing further casualties while ensuring the safety of responders.
At 2 p.m., a situation assessment meeting was convened, where senior officials instructed fire crews to prioritise search and rescue operations.
The Busan Metropolitan Government was also urged to activate its disaster safety headquarters to support emergency workers, while the Ministry of Employment and Labour was tasked with overseeing investigations into the cause of the fire.
