![Smoke billows from a construction site in Busan on Feb 14 2025 in this photo provided by a reader Yonhap](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2025/02/14/20250214164658693634.jpg)
According to firefighters, the fire started around 10:50 a.m. on the first floor of the luxury Banyan Tree Hotel, which is slated to have its grand opening in the southern port city later this year.
Firefighters rescued about a dozen trapped inside using helicopters from the roof, while more than a hundred workers evacuated.
Flames reportedly spread to the hotel's construction materials, generating toxic smoke that hindered firefighters' efforts to rescue those trapped and put out the fire.
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