Today (29th) at around 1:50 pm, 5 people died and 37 people were injured in a fire near the Bukuiwang IC of the 2nd Gyeongin Expressway in Galhyeon-dong, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do.



According to the police, the fire was confirmed as a fire caused by a single truck accident, not a traffic accident between a bus and a truck, which was initially known.



A police official explained, "We estimate that the recycling collection vehicle had an accident and the fire started due to overheating of the engine."



Afterwards, it is known that the embers spread toward the soundproof tunnel.



The number of deaths was originally known to be 6, but it was revised to 5 after it was confirmed that 1 person was duplicated.



Some of the dead were believed to have been found inside vehicles.



Of the 37 injured, 3 seriously injured, such as facial injuries, and 34 minor injuries, such as simple smoke inhalation.



A total of 44 vehicles were identified that were isolated within the fire area.



The fire department caught a big flame at 3:18 pm, about an hour and a half after the fire broke out.



The fire department received the report at around 1:50 pm and arrived at the scene 18 minutes later at 2:08 pm.



After that, the first level of response was issued in 3 minutes, and the warning was raised to the second level of response at 2:22 pm, 11 minutes later.



As the fire subsided, it was readjusted to the first level of response at 2:34 pm.



The fire department is mobilizing 190 manpower and 55 pieces of equipment to extinguish the flames.



The police also put in 242 experienced people to search for people and identify the victims.



The police and fire authorities plan to investigate the exact cause of the fire and the extent of the damage as soon as the fire is extinguished.



(Photo = Yonhap News)