South Korean logistics center fire enters third day amid collapse fears

A fierce blaze at a major e-commerce logistics center operated by Coupang in Incheon, South Korea, has entered its third day, with firefighters facing a perilous situation amid fears of a structural collapse. The fire, which began Saturday morning on the sixth floor of the Coupang 32 facility, forced the evacuation of 121 workers and hospitalized two firefighters for smoke inhalation and exhaustion.

Concerns over the building's integrity have led the Incheon municipal government to order the preventive evacuation of surrounding businesses and factories. While residential areas were not directly included in the order, 168 people voluntarily relocated to temporary shelters due to worries about smoke and dust. Nearby schools and daycare centers were also closed as a precautionary measure.

Firefighting efforts have been severely hampered by the vast quantities of flammable materials stored within the facility, the complex interior structure, and intense smoke. A large contingent of 812 personnel and 231 vehicles and equipment are engaged in the difficult operation.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has pledged the government's full mobilization of resources to control the fire. He also promised a thorough investigation into the incident's causes and a comprehensive review of safety standards at large logistics centers nationwide to prevent similar disasters. The incident underscores the significant risks associated with the rapid growth of e-commerce and the infrastructure supporting it.

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The government will mobilize all available resources until the fire is controlled, and we will investigate its causes and comprehensively review the safety of large logistics centers to prevent similar incidents.