Fire at Busan Banyan Tree New Construction Site... 4 Dead (Comprehensive)

2 in Cardiac Arrest, 5 with Minor Injuries

At around 10:51 a.m. on the 14th, a fire broke out at the Banyan Tree Hotel construction site in Gijang-gun, Busan, resulting in 4 deaths so far. Since the fire has not been completely extinguished, the number of casualties is expected to increase.

According to the Fire Agency, at 11 a.m. on the same day, the fire brigade arrived at the scene, and at 11:10 a.m., 10 minutes later, Response Level 1 was declared. As concerns over multiple casualties grew, the response was escalated to Level 2 around noon, and firefighting efforts are ongoing. A total of 127 pieces of equipment, including 3 firefighting helicopters, and 352 firefighters have been deployed to the site.

A fire is burning at the Banyan Tree Hotel construction site in Gijang-gun, Busan on the 14th. Photo by Yonhap News

Fourteen people who had evacuated to the rooftop were rescued by firefighting helicopters, but 4 were confirmed dead and 2 are in cardiac arrest. Five others sustained minor injuries.

The fire authorities estimate that the fire started near the insulation material by the swimming pool on the first floor of the construction site.

Ko Ki-dong, Acting Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, regarding the fire, urgently instructed, "The Ministry of Employment and Labor, Fire Agency, National Police Agency, Busan City, Gijang-gun, and other related organizations must mobilize all available equipment and personnel to fully focus on firefighting and rescue operations." He added, "We will do our best to prevent any safety accidents involving firefighters during the firefighting process, and the police will ensure thorough control of the area around the fire scene."