Fire at coal mining company building in northern China kills 26

On Thursday, a devastating fire broke out in a building owned by Yongju Coal Company in Lvliang city, Shanxi province, a key coal-producing area in northern China. State media reported that the blaze resulted in 26 fatalities and injured at least 38 individuals.

Rescue teams were able to evacuate numerous people from the affected structure. Videos shared on social media and broadcasted by China’s state TV CCTV showed the four-story building engulfed in flames, with thick smoke billowing out. In a desperate bid to escape, some individuals were seen descending the building using drain pipes.

Fengmian News, a local media source, stated that the victims were primarily employees of the company.

The fire, which reportedly started around 6:50 a.m. local time (2250 GMT Wednesday), was extinguished by the afternoon, as confirmed by the emergency management department.

During his visit to the United States, Chinese President Xi Jinping, who was attending the APEC summit in San Francisco, urged for a thorough inquiry into potential safety hazards in crucial sectors, as per CCTV’s report. Xi emphasized the importance of protecting people’s lives, property, and maintaining overall social stability.

Several individuals suspected of being linked to the fire have been detained, and investigations are underway, according to state media. It is believed that the fire originated in the shower area of a building that housed both offices and dormitories, as reported by Hongxing News.

China, especially in its coal mining industry, has a history of industrial accidents. Despite governmental efforts to enhance safety measures, such incidents remain relatively frequent. Shanxi province, being the largest coal producer in China, is central to the nation’s strategy to decrease its dependence on coal.

This incident follows other tragic events in China, including a hospital fire in Beijing last April, which claimed 29 lives and led to public outcry over perceived information withholding by authorities. Additionally, an explosion at a barbecue restaurant in Yinchuan province last October resulted in 31 deaths.