At least six people have been killed and dozens remain unaccounted for after a massive fire tore through a hostel in the New Zealand capital Wellington.
The blaze broke out on the top floor of the four-storey building just after midnight local time on Tuesday.
Dozens of residents were able to flee the building but a number were not able to escape.
“I can sadly report that this will be a multi-fatality incident. Our thoughts at this time are with the families of those who have perished and with our crews who valiantly rescued those and attempted to rescue those that they couldn’t,” Wellington Fire and Emergency District Manager Nick Pyatt said.
This is our once-in-a-decade fire. It doesn’t get worse than this for our people.”
At least 52 people have been accounted for but there are fears there were as many as 94 people inside the building at the time.
It’s understood 20 people have been injured but their conditions are unknown.
“Wellingtonians will certainly be feeling this this morning. Can I acknowledge the victims and the families,” NZ Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told local TV.
“An absolutely tragic set of circumstances, a tragic situation.”
The rescue effort is being hampered by the existence of asbestos while there are also fears the roof will collapse.
More to come.
