firefighter

US media quoted local firefighters saying that some passengers were injured.

"We have to search for even the smallest part... it's not about removing complete bodies," one of the firefighters involved in the excavations told AFP.

No injuries were reported as firefighters continued to battle the flames into the evening.

By the time firefighters arrived about 10 minutes later, the tower was ablaze, the flames traveling upward through the bamboo scaffolding and netting—and soon jumping to other buildings in the complex.

Twelve other firefighters have also been injured, authorities said.