Yeosu (File Photo)

Five Chinese citizens were killed and 18 other Chinese citizens were injured in a fire occurring at a detention facility in Yeosu, 450 km south of Seoul, Sunday morning, the Chinese Embassy in Seoul confirmed.

"We have confirmed that five Chinese people died in the accident while 18 other Chinese citizens were injured," said Yan Fenglan, the consul general of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul.

The Chinese Embassy has sent two diplomats to Yeosu and asked the South Korean government to cooperate in dealing with the victims, she said.

According to local media, the fire took place at 3:55 a.m. (1855 GMT, Saturday) Sunday morning in a four-story immigration detention facility in Yeosu where 55 foreigners were detained then. At least nine foreigners were killed in the accident.

Most of the victims are believed to have been killed by smoke inhalation in the blaze and the death toll is expected to increase as some of the injured are in critical condition, police said.

Following the accident, South Korean Prime Minister Han Myong-soo ordered the Justice Ministry to conduct an in-depth investigation into the incident and expressed her regret to the foreign victims. She demanded the authorities review the detention systems for foreigners and prevent similar accidents, the Office of the Prime Minister said.

The cause of the blaze is still under investigation, police said.

Editor: Yan