13-3-2024 (BEIJING) A powerful explosion ripped through a restaurant in Hebei province, China, causing injuries and extensive damage to cars and nearby streets, as reported by Chinese state media on Wednesday (March 13).
The explosion occurred around 8 am (0000 GMT) at a restaurant in Sanhe, a county situated on the outskirts of the capital city Beijing, according to state broadcaster CCTV News.
Sanhe is approximately 80 km away from Beijing.
The injured individuals have been rushed to the hospital, while the status of any fatalities remains unknown, CCTV reported. Initial investigations suggest that the explosion may have been triggered by a gas canister.
The Langfang Fire Rescue Detachment stated that an explosion and subsequent fire erupted in a street shop near the intersection of Xueyuan Street and Yingbin Road in Xiaozhanggezhuang village, according to an official statement.
The department promptly dispatched 36 vehicles and 154 personnel to the scene. They managed to bring the fire under control, and rescue operations are currently underway.
The incident occurred shortly after the conclusion of high-level government political meetings in Beijing.
Videos circulating on the social media platform Weibo depicted a massive orange fireball above the explosion site, followed by thick clouds of grey smoke. The footage revealed demolished building fronts, numerous damaged cars, and shattered glass strewn across the streets. Some objects were engulfed in flames, resembling scenes from a war zone.
According to one Weibo post, eyewitnesses claimed that the explosion took place near the Cultural Building in Yanjiao, Sanhe.
The Sanhe City Emergency Management Bureau dispatched an investigative team to the scene, while the Langfang City Emergency Management Bureau confirmed the presence of the fire department at the explosion site, as per social media reports.
