On Friday, around 500 people were evacuated from their houses after a fire broke out in one of the last remaining slums, named Guryong Village, in Seoul, South Korea.
The fire broke out in the fourth district of the village during the early hours on Thursday, an official with the Gangnam Fire Station said. The first responders took five minutes to arrive at the location to extinguish the fire.
After being notified about the fire, Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea's President ordered authorities to mobilize "all available personnel and equipment."
He also requested that local governments evacuate residents and ensure the safety of rescue workers, according to his office.
Around 800 personnel have been mobilized, including firefighters, police and governmental workers. While 10 helicopters had been sent immediately to put out the fire.
An estimated number of 60 homes had been destroyed by the fire and an area of 2,700 square meters had been damaged. There have been no reports of deaths or injuries though around 500 people had been evacuated.
Guryong Village has been reported to be under particular risk of disasters. The Gangnam Government even stated that the slum was vulnerable to fires in 2019.
It took more than 800 responders, several helicopters and around five hours but by 11 am local time, the fire was completely extinguished.
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