Devastating Fire In China Kills 15
Devastating Fire In China Kills 15. A devastating incident unfolded in eastern China’s Nanjing city, where a raging fire swept through an apartment building, resulting in a tragic toll of fifteen lives lost and over 40 individuals sustaining injuries, as reported by local authorities. The distressing scene, captured in footage circulating on social media, portrayed flames and billows of thick black smoke engulfing multiple floors of a skyscraper located in the Yuhuatai district of Nanjing, a bustling city with a population exceeding eight million, situated approximately 162 miles (260km) north-west of Shanghai.
Authorities hinted at the possibility of the fire originating on the building’s first floor, where electric bikes were stored, though a comprehensive investigation is still underway to determine the specific cause. Emergency services swiftly responded to the crisis, receiving the initial alert at 04:40 local time (20:40 GMT) on Friday. A formidable force of twenty-five fire engines and 130 firefighters was dispatched to combat the blaze. By 06:00 (22:00 GMT), the fire had been successfully extinguished, concluding the search and rescue operation around 14:00.
Tragically, among the 44 injured individuals who were rushed to the hospital for treatment, one remains in critical condition, while another is seriously injured, according to officials. In a press conference addressing the incident, Nanjing Mayor Chen Zhichang expressed condolences and extended apologies to the grieving families of the victims. Aerial photographs taken after the fire had been quelled depicted some flats with blackened fronts, offering a somber visual testament to the severity of the incident.
This unfortunate event is part of a concerning pattern in China, where fires and other fatal accidents often occur due to insufficient enforcement of safety standards. President Xi Jinping, responding to a recent surge in deadly incidents across the country, called for “deep reflection” and emphasized the need for enhanced efforts to “curb the frequent occurrence of safety accidents” just last month. The Nanjing fire adds to the grim tally, following closely on the heels of a tragic incident in China’s Henan province, where 13 schoolchildren lost their lives in a school dormitory fire, and another fire in the city of Xinyu claimed at least 39 lives. The series of unfortunate events underscores the critical importance of bolstering safety measures and enforcement to prevent such tragedies in the future.
