SEOUL, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a hospital fire, which occurred in South Korea's southeastern Milyang city, has risen to 15, local broadcaster YTN reported Friday citing the firefighting authorities.

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 15 people were confirmed dead, with about 40 others injured. The rescue operation was still underway.

About 100 patients were originally in the hospital, some 390 km southeast of the capital Seoul. All of the 93 patients at a nursing home, adjoined to the hospital, evacuated safely.