20-1-2024 (BEIJING) A devastating fire in the Yingcai School’s dormitory located in Yanshanpu village, Henan province, has resulted in the tragic loss of 13 lives, as reported by the official Xinhua news agency on Saturday.
The fire, which occurred on Friday night, was reported to the local fire department at 11 pm (1500 GMT). Authorities swiftly responded, with rescuers arriving promptly and successfully extinguishing the flames by 11:38 pm.
Xinhua has confirmed that among the casualties, 13 people lost their lives, and one individual sustained injuries. The injured survivor is currently receiving treatment in the hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by local authorities, and Xinhua notes that at least one person associated with the school has been detained in connection with the incident.
Yanshanpu village, situated on the outskirts of Nanyang, a city with nearly 10 million residents, has become the site of mourning and investigation in the aftermath of this tragic incident.
Although limited public information is available about Yingcai School, social media videos circulating prior to the incident show young children, including kindergarteners, adorned in smocks featuring the school’s logo. Older students were also seen engaging in calligraphy lessons.
Xinhua did not specify the age group of the deceased individuals, leaving the public seeking answers and expressing outrage on Chinese social media platforms. Calls for severe punishment in cases of safety lapses have emerged, emphasizing the need for accountability and prevention.
This devastating incident adds to the concerning pattern of fires and accidents in China, often attributed to lax safety standards and inadequate enforcement. In November, a fire at a coal company office in Shanxi province claimed 26 lives, while a school gym roof collapse in July led to the death of 11 people in the country’s northeast.
