Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
A deadly fire at a vegetable market in Zhangjiakou city, northern China, has claimed eight lives and left 15 others injured. Local authorities reported the incident, stating that the victims are receiving treatment in hospitals and are not currently in life-threatening condition.
The fire erupted around 8:40 am on Saturday at the Liguang market in the Qiaoxi District, located northwest of Beijing. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze by 10:00 am. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Videos shared on social media show thick smoke billowing from the market, with people fleeing the scene. Other footage depicts firefighters battling the flames and rescuing victims.
China has seen a number of deadly fires in recent years, often attributed to lax building regulations and poor safety standards. In October, a fire in Chengdu hospitalised 24 individuals with breathing difficulties, and another blaze in Zigong city in July killed 16 people.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of this latest tragedy.
(AFP)