Smoke rises from a tunnel that was burnt down in Gwacheon, South Korea on Dec 29, 2022. (YONHAP VIA REUTERS)
SEOUL – At least 5 people were killed and nearly 40 injured in a fire that engulfed a sound-proof tunnel of the second Gyeongin expressway in Gwacheon, about 20 km south of South Korea's capital Seoul, Yonhap news agency reported Thursday.
The fire, which began at about 1:49 pm local time (0449 GMT), was believed to have been caused by a collision accident between a bus and a truck that caught fire and spread flames to the tunnel.
Around 20 more people were under treatment after inhaling toxic gas.
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The heavy traffic made it difficult for vehicles to immediately escape the affected area, as the fire spread and a blast was heard, a witness told television broadcaster YTN.
Burnt trucks are seen inside a tunnel that was burnt down in Gwacheon, South Korea on Dec 29, 2022. (YONHAP VIA REUTERS)
The firefighting authorities dispatched some 50 fire engines and equipment as well as about 140 firefighters to put out the fire.
The flames were almost brought under control at about 2:40 pm local time.
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Police and the fire authorities reportedly planned to investigate the exact cause of the accident.