WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said that fire at a hostel in the country’s capital has killed as many as six people. He said that the incident happened in a four-story hostel on Tuesday.
Fire Kills Six in New Zealand: Prime Minister
The Prime Minister feared that the death toll may increase and termed it a tragedy. According to AFP, fifty-two people have been rescued. Police officials said they do not yet have an exact total of the number killed people, although they believe it is fewer than ten people. Reuters reported that the emergency and rescue services were called to the hostel at about 12:30 a.m.
Wellington Fire and Emergency District Manager Nick Pyatt termed it a multi-fatality incident and expressed deep sorrow to the families of the victims. Pyatt told the media “This is our nightmare,”.
Police officials said the reason for the fire incident remained unexplained, and they would be probing alongside fire and emergency authorities.
The hostel known as Loafers Lodge advertises itself as an inexpensive place for people to stay while they are in Wellington. The hostel has 92 rooms and promotes them as being available long-term.
