Dozens rescued in South Korea building fire

A fire and thick smoke engulfed an eight-storey building in the South Korean city of Seongnam on Friday, sending 12 people to hospital with smoke inhalation, and about 30 people who had been trapped were safely rescued, the fire department said.

The department deployed 82 vehicles and equipment to bring the blaze under control after it started in a restaurant on the ground floor of the busy commercial building, which also housed a swimming pool where children take lessons.

Earlier, YTN television reported multiple people were trapped inside, with footage showing black smoke engulfing a large part of the building and a blaze burning on the lower floors.

The fire broke out in Seongnam in Gyeonggi Province on Friday afternoon.

The building, which also has five basement floors, has underground car parks, sports facilities, and restaurants below ground, while shops and hospitals are located above ground.

Fire authorities issued the second stage of response in a three-tier system due to concerns about potential casualties involving multiple people.