SEOUL, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- At least 13 people have been confirmed dead, with 40 others wounded, in a hospital fire that occurred at South Korea's southeastern Milyang city, local broadcaster YTN reported Friday.

The fire happened at about 7:30 a.m. local time Friday (2230 GMT Thursday) at the Sejong Hospital in Milyang city, South Gyeongsang province. It started from an emergency room on the hospital's first floor.

At least 13 people were killed, with 40 others injured. The rescue operation was still underway.

About 100 people were originally in the hospital, located some 390 km southeast of the capital Seoul.