36 dead, 2 missing and 2 in hospital after fire breaks out at plant in central China
- Chinese state media reports blaze started at Kaixinda Trading on Monday afternoon
- Authorities say ‘criminal suspects’ have been taken into custody in connection with the fatal fire
Thirty-six people were killed and two are missing after a fire broke out at a plant in central China, state media said on Tuesday, citing local authorities.
The fire took place “at a plant in Anyang city, central China’s Henan province, on Monday afternoon”, news agency Xinhua reported without sharing further details.
State media said rescue services first received reports at 4.22pm of a fire at Kaixinda Trading Co Ltd.
“After receiving the alarm, the municipal fire rescue detachment immediately dispatched forces to the scene,” CCTV reported.
“Public security, emergency response, municipal administration and power supply units rushed to the scene at the same time to carry out emergency handling and rescue work,” it said, adding the fire was extinguished by around 11pm.
In addition to the dead and missing, two people are in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, CCTV said.
Authorities said “criminal suspects” had been taken into custody in connection with the fire, but did not provide further details.
Industrial accidents are common in China because of weak safety standards and corruption among officials tasked with enforcing them.