by India Today World DeskAt least six people have died and more than 11 are missing after a fire broke out at a multi-storey hostel in Wellington, New Zealand on Tuesday. Officials warned that the number could rise.
The Fire and Emergency Services New Zealand (FENZ) said “many people are still unaccounted for, but this number along with the death toll cannot be confirmed at this time.”
Police said the fire started just after midnight on the top floor of Loafers Lodge in the Wellington neighborhood of Newtown. The cause of the fire is not known, news agency Reuters reported.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told the breakfast television show AM that six people had died and police said they expected the death toll to be less than 10.
Police also said they would not have more information until it was safe to enter the 92-room building and there was no danger of the roof collapsing. Fifty-two people have been identified so far.
“This is a tragic incident for all involved. My heartfelt condolences are with the loved ones of those who have lost their lives,” District Manager Commander Nick Pyatt said in a statement. “It’s a once-a-decade fire for Wellington. It’s our worst nightmare.”
(with inputs from agencies)