At least six people have died and 30 people are missing after a fire broke out overnight at a four-storey hostel in New Zealand’s capital, Wellington.

Emergency services were called to the Loafers Lodge hostel in the Newtown area of the city at about 12.30am local time on Tuesday (1.30pm Monday BST).

Wellington Fire and Emergency District Manager Nick Pyatt said 52 people have been accounted for from the building.

“I can sadly report that this will be a multi-fatality incident. Our thoughts at this time are with the families of those who have perished and with our crews who valiantly rescued those (they could) and attempted to rescue those that they couldn’t,” Mr Pyatt told reporters.

“This is our worst nightmare,” Mr Pyatt said. “It doesn’t get worse than this.”

The hostel has capacity for 92 people but it is unclear how many people were inside at the time of the fire.

More to follow.

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