2 dead and dozens hurt in China after blast tears down 4-storey building near Beijing

Gas leak named as cause of explosion at fried chicken restaurant in Yanjiao, Hebei province
Fire department sends 36 vehicles and 154 personnel to the scene; nearby residents evacuated

Accidents, extreme weather and disasters in China

Alyssa Chen

Published: 12:46pm, 13 Mar 2024

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Two people have died and dozens were injured when a blast caused by a gas leak tore down a four-storey building near Beijing early on Wednesday.

A government statement said the blast occurred at 7.54am in Sanhe county of Langfang in northern Hebei province, which neighbours the capital city.

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At least 2 dead and dozens injured in northern China after blast levels 4-storey building

It said the blast occurred at a fried chicken restaurant in Yanjiao, a town in Sanhe.

According to state broadcaster CCTV, two people died, 26 were reported injured and 28 people were rescued from the site by early afternoon.

Fourteen of the injured were admitted to hospital, including two with severe injuries.

The Sanhe emergency department said the municipal fire department had sent 36 vehicles and 154 personnel to the scene.

Firefighters work at the scene of the explosion in Yanjiao, Hebei province on Wednesday. Photo: AP

CCTV said the fire at the explosion site was almost extinguished by early afternoon. Residents within 500 metres (1,640 feet) of the site had been transferred away from the disaster zone.

The broadcaster said authorities had not yet determined the specific cause of the explosion and the location where the explosion occurred, but that they confirmed the explosion was caused by a gas leak.

Regional supplier Taida Gas said in a statement it had suspended service in 50 surrounding areas.

The Sanhe emergency department chief told CCTV the gas service was likely to be restored on Wednesday night after security checks.

Seven shops at the explosion site were damaged and had to close.

The owner of a nearby bakery told local media they heard a loud bang at the time of the explosion and the ceiling in the bakery fell soon after, prompting staff to run out of the store.

Videos posted on the Weibo social media platform showed huge clouds of grey smoke rising from the scene and engulfing the site, making it difficult to see surrounding buildings.

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The explosion destroyed building facades and cars and left glass scattered across nearby streets. Some objects at the scene were on fire.

In June, a devastating gas explosion at an eatery in the northwestern Ningxia region killed 31 people and led to the Chinese government issuing detailed guidelines on the safe use of gas appliances and cookers.

Residents near the blast zone have been moved as emergency personnel and officials work at the site. Photo: Weibo/@专用老年机

Located on the eastern outskirts of Beijing, Yanjiao is about 35km from Tiananmen Square in the centre of the capital. It is popular among Beijing workers who travel a long way to the satellite town because of its lower rental costs compared to the capital. But that also means getting up early to make the long commute.

Local media reported that many commuters who dwell outside Beijing usually spend at least four hours commuting. More than 300,000 people a day commute from Yanjiao to Beijing.

Observers took to social media to post images of the blast and aftermath. Photo: Weibo/@专用老年机

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the town was subjected to several lockdowns. Yanjiao residents were hampered from entering the capital for work and their commute to work was further slowed because of pandemic checks and other Covid-19 protocols.

Yanjiao appears set to receive more Beijing workers as Beijing Subway Line 22 – whose construction is expected to be completed next year – will extend to the town. The line will be the capital’s first interprovincial subway line connecting Beijing to Hebei province, and is expected to make commuters’ lives easier.