South Korea: Emergency services continue to respond to tower block fire in Ulsan October 9

Event

Emergency services continue to respond to a fire in the Samhwan Art Nouveau commercial and residential tower block in the Dal-dong district of Ulsan on Friday, October 9, which broke out on Thursday evening, October 8, at approximately 23:00 (local time). Media sources state that hundreds of people were forced to evacuate and around 80 people were sent to hospital due to smoke inhalation. Strong winds are reportedly made it difficult for emergency crews to control and extinguish the fire in the 33-storey building. The fire reportedly broke out in the 33-storey tower block, which hosts around 120 households and shopping units, between the 8th and 12th floors; the cause of the fire remains unknown.

Localized travel and business disruptions are likely to continue in the area in the near term amid the ongoing emergency response operations. 

Advice

Those in Ulsan are advised to monitor developments, remain indoors with doors and windows closed, and heed any directives issued by local authorities, including evacuation orders.