A fire in eastern China’s Nanjing city has resulted in the tragic loss of 15 lives and left over 40 individuals injured, according to local authorities.
Videos circulating on social media depict flames and thick black smoke engulfing multiple floors of a high-rise building. Initial reports suggest the fire originated on the first floor, where electric bikes were stored, though the precise cause remains under investigation.
Situated in Nanjing’s Yuhuatai district, the city of over eight million residents is approximately 162 miles (260 km) northwest of Shanghai. Emergency services were alerted to the incident at 04:40 local time (20:40 GMT) on Friday, triggering a rapid response.
Twenty-five fire engines and 130 firefighters were dispatched to combat the blaze. By 06:00 (22:00 GMT), the fire was successfully extinguished, concluding the search and rescue operation around 14:00. The tragedy has prompted an examination into the circumstances leading to the devastating incident.
Following the apartment building fire in Nanjing, China, officials have reported that among the 44 individuals hospitalized for treatment, one is in critical condition, and another is seriously injured.
Nanjing Mayor Chen Zhichang expressed condolences and offered apologies to the families of the victims during a press conference. Aerial photographs taken after the fire was extinguished depicted some flats on the length of the skyscraper with blackened fronts.
China frequently experiences fires and other lethal accidents, often attributed to inadequate enforcement of safety standards. In response to a recent series of deadly fires, President Xi Jinping called for increased efforts to “curb the frequent occurrence of safety accidents” and urged for a “deep reflection.”
The incident in Nanjing follows another tragic event a month ago when 13 schoolchildren, aged nine and 10, lost their lives in a fire that broke out in a school dormitory in Henan province, China.
Shortly thereafter, a devastating fire erupted in the city of Xinyu, claiming the lives of at least 39 individuals and leaving nine others injured.
