At least 41 people have been killed and dozens injured in a fire at a hospital in Miryang, South Korea, said the Yonhap news agency.

The victims appeared to have died from smoke inhalation -- Photo: REUTERS

The fire is thought to have started in the emergency room at Sejong Hospital, which specialises in cardiology,

Around 200 patients were inside the building and adjoining nursing home at the time - many were safely evacuated.

It is South Korea's deadliest fire in almost a decade and the toll is expected to rise.

Firefighters told the Yonhap news agency that the victims appeared to have died from smoke inhalation.

Several of the injured people were reported to be in a critical condition.

Mr Choi said the fire started around 07:30 local time (22:30 GMT on Thursday) and was put out in about three hours.

According to Yonhap, 93 patients from the nursing home were safely evacuated.

Pictures from the scene show the building engulfed by heavy grey smoke as well as patients being rescued.

The cause of the fire is not yet known -- Photo: EPA

South Korean President Moon Jae-in arranged an emergency meeting to discuss ways of dealing with the fire.

Miryang is about 270km (168 miles) south-east of the capital, Seoul.

The hospital has been operating since 2008. The nursing home and hospital between them have about 200 beds.

About 35 medical staff work at the hospital, according to South Gyeongsang Province officials.

Source: BBC