South Korea blaze sees multiple people trapped

Multiple people were reported trapped on Friday in a fire in the South Korean city of Seongnam, south of Seoul.

YTN Television showed video footage of a building that appeared to be at least eight storeys tall engulfed in black smoke with a blaze burning on the lower floors.

There have been no confirmed casualties, YTN said.

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

The building, which also has five basement floors, houses 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.