At least six people have died in a fire that broke out in a small hotel housing workers in the center of the New Zealand capital of Wellington: “This is a tragedy in every sense of the word,” said New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hepkins. , noting that he “confirmed that six people were killed, but it appears that the death toll is likely higher.”
And firefighters announced that 52 people had been rescued, some of them up to the roof, noting that dozens of others were still missing. They explained that there were about 90 people in the building when the fire started, 52 the wounded were taken to the hospital for treatment, one of them is in serious condition, 15 people received assistance on the spot.
Smoke billowed from the four-story hotel as about 80 firefighters, backed by 20 trucks, worked to put out the fire.
“This is a Wellington fire that happens once a decade. This is our worst nightmare,” said Nick Pyatt, head of the fire and emergency department.
