Firefighters have recovered six bodies from a shopping center in southwestern China after putting out a fire that sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Some individuals remain trapped inside.
Approximately 30 people have been rescued from the shopping complex in Zigong, a city in Sichuan province, the broadcaster reported.
“Six people have been killed,” CCTV announced, adding that search and rescue efforts are ongoing. Footage on social media showed dark smoke pouring from the building.
The fire broke out early in the evening at a shopping center located at the base of a 14-story building. By 8:20 PM local time (1220 GMT), the blaze had been extinguished, CCTV reported.
Videos shared online, which AFP has not verified, depict crowds in front of the burning structure, with fire engines and ambulances nearby.
Zigong’s emergency services were alerted to the fire at 6:11 PM and quickly dispatched firefighters to the scene. The public has been urged to disregard any rumors about the incident.
Zigong, about 1,900 kilometers from Beijing, has a population of nearly 2.5 million.
Safety Concerns
Accidents and fires are common in China due to lax safety regulations and enforcement. In January, a fire in Xinyu killed dozens after starting in a store’s basement due to illegal activities by workers. Chinese President Xi Jinping urged that lessons be learned from the incident to prevent future tragedies.
The same month, a residential building fire claimed at least 15 lives. Days earlier, a nighttime blaze at a school in Henan province killed 13 children in their dormitory.
Last year, a rare hospital fire in Beijing resulted in 29 deaths, forcing desperate patients to jump from windows to escape.
