Key facts
- Firefighters have been battling a fire at a Coupang logistics center in Incheon for over 31 hours.
- The fire started on the sixth floor of the facility.
- 121 people were evacuated.
- A large number of emergency personnel and vehicles have been deployed.
- Thick smoke and flammable materials are hampering firefighting efforts.
- Two firefighters have been hospitalized.
Firefighters continued their efforts on Sunday to contain a fire at a logistics center operated by retail giant Coupang Corp. in the western port city of Incheon, more than 31 hours after the blaze initially broke out. The fire, which began on the sixth floor of the facility on Saturday morning, prompted the evacuation of 121 people, including logistics workers. Authorities issued a national firefighting mobilization order, deploying 221 vehicles and 575 firefighters and police officers from eight neighboring cities and provinces. Despite the extensive resources, including helicopters and ladder trucks, the fire remained uncontrolled. Fire officials cited poor visibility from thick smoke and the large quantities of flammable objects stored within the center as major obstacles. Two firefighters were hospitalized on Saturday due to smoke inhalation and exhaustion. This incident follows a similar tragedy in 2021 where a firefighter died after going missing while battling a blaze at another Coupang distribution center.