(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) TOKYO, Dec 21 (KUNA) -- At least 29 people died and dozens more were injured in a fire that engulfed a commercial building in the southern South Korean city of Jecheon on Thursday, Yonhap News Agency reported.
The fire started in the afternoon from a vehicle in the first floor parking lot of an eight-story building in the city, 168 kilometers southeast of Seoul, according to the report. The building houses a fitness center, restaurants and a public sauna.
The 29 people were found dead, mostly trapped in the sauna on the second floor, the authorities said. Another 26 people were injured, mostly from inhaling smoke, and sent to hospitals for treatment.
Earlier, some 20 others were rescued from the rooftop where they were taking refuge from the fire.
The fire was largely put out as of Thursday night and firefighters have started to search the inside of the building, but unusually heavy smoke and toxic gas from the fire is delaying the rescue operation, the authorities said.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in shortly expressed grief at the accident and instructed efforts to minimize death toll. (end) mk.gta
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