South Korea building collapses, at least nine killed

Reuters 2014-02-17

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ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)

At least nine were killed and dozens others remained trapped in debris on Monday (February 17) after an auditorium inside a southern resort collapsed, South Korean media reported.

The South's Yonhap News Agency said more than 500 freshmen from Busan University of Foreign Studies were having their orientation in the building in Gyeongju, 370 km south of Seoul, when it collapsed at around 9:00 p.m.

"At the time of the collapse, there was about 500 students gathered for their event and it's likely the roof collapsed under the weight of snow," said Byun Ki-chan, the university official.

The university has set up an emergency headquarters near the accident venue.

Yonhap News Agency said about 70 students have been transferred to hospitals nearby and about 300 fire and police officials are on the scene, but they had difficulty reaching the collapsed site for rescue works due to heavy snow.

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