ديجيتال فابلت

الوسم: fire rescue

  • China factory fire claims at least 28 lives: state media

    China factory fire claims at least 28 lives: state media

    A firefighter climbs onto a fire truck as he and his colleagues work to put out a blaze at a petrochemical plant in Zhangzhou, Fujian Province. — Reuters/File

    – Rescuers are concerned that more workers may still be trapped inside the building.
    – Blocked stairwells are hindering firefighters’ efforts to reach upper floors.
    – Authorities have dispatched 183 personnel and 35 rescue vehicles.

    A fire swept through a shoe manufacturing factory in eastern China on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of at least 28 people, according to state media reports. Over 500 firefighters and rescue workers are rushing to extinguish the flames.

    Several hours after the fire ignited at the Huiteng Shoes factory around noon (0400 GMT), officials feared there could still be individuals trapped inside the building located in Jinjiang city, Fujian Province.

    President Xi Jinping stated that the fire caused “significant human losses,” with initial reports from the state news agency Xinhua confirming a death toll of 28.

    Footage broadcast by CCTV showed firefighters spraying water on the exterior and interior of a large, multi-story white building as thick black smoke billowed from broken windows. People were seen seeking refuge near the windows and on the roof, while the lower floors continued to burn.

    CCTV reported that approximately 500 firefighters and emergency personnel were present at the scene.

    Xi emphasized that the cause of the incident should be identified swiftly, and those responsible must be held accountable. The company owner and several others have been detained, and the authorities have frozen the company’s bank accounts.

    Jinjiang is one of China’s key hubs for shoe production and a global center for athletic footwear manufacturing, according to the state-controlled Global Times.

    Fire chief Du Zhenzhou explained that access to the upper floors was difficult because stairwells and exits were blocked with shoe materials. He added that adhesives and other raw materials used in shoe manufacturing fueled the fire.

    The emergency management ministry reported that efforts to extinguish the fire were ongoing, with a focus on rescuing trapped individuals and treating the injured. Some persons remained unaccounted for and out of contact.

    At the time of the fire, 237 workers and two delivery personnel were present at the factory. While 213 individuals had been evacuated, the precise relationship between these numbers and the confirmed death toll remains unclear.

    Xi highlighted that China has experienced several major industrial safety incidents this year. He urged all regions and relevant agencies to learn from these tragedies and implement stricter safety measures.

    In response to previous industrial fires, China launched a safety campaign in November targeting high-rise buildings, following a catastrophic blaze in Hong Kong that resulted in 168 deaths. A month later, a fire at a residential building in Guangdong province claimed 12 lives. In May, an explosion at a fireworks factory in central China killed 37 people, marking one of the deadliest industrial accidents in recent years.

  • Hong Kong’s Worst Fire in Decades Claims 94 Lives, Many Missing

    Hong Kong’s Worst Fire in Decades Claims 94 Lives, Many Missing

    Families of the many individuals still unaccounted for after Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades searched hospitals on Friday, while firefighters worked through the remaining apartments of the burning housing complex. The toll has risen to at least 94 fatalities.

    The fire erupted at Wang Fuk Court in the northern Tai Po district on Wednesday afternoon, rapidly spreading across its eight buildings and inflicting flames that burned fiercely for over 36 hours.

    Authorities are now investigating the cause of the blaze, including the role of bamboo scaffolding and plastic mesh used during extensive renovations around the buildings.

    On Friday, workers removed black body bags from the scorched apartments, with an AFP reporter witnessing four in just a 15-minute span. Meanwhile, multiple bodies were delivered to a Sha Tin mortuary, with families expected to arrive later in the day for identification.

    The number of missing persons remains unknown, as no updates have been issued since early Thursday. At Sha Tin hospital, Wong, a woman in her late 30s, searched for her sister-in-law and her twin sister, both of whom are still unaccounted for.

    “We still haven’t located them, so we’re visiting different hospitals to see if we get any good news,” Wong said tearfully. “We were waiting at Prince of Wales Hospital on the first day, but there was no word. We came back again yesterday.”

    As of Friday, over 50 people were hospitalized, with 12 in critical condition and 28 in serious condition. Wong noted that the last contact with the twins was less than an hour before the fire broke out on Wednesday.

    A 77-year-old eyewitness, surnamed Mui, recalled seeing one building engulfed in flames that quickly spread to two more, describing how rapidly it escalated. “It was very fast — burning red. I shudder just thinking about it,” he said.

    Firefighters reported that they were responding to 25 remaining rescue requests and planned to break into all apartments of the estate by early Friday morning. Some smoke persisted, but officials assured that the blaze was contained to about 2,000 units within the sprawling complex.

    This disaster marks the deadliest fire since 1948, when an explosion and subsequent blaze claimed over 135 lives. Although Hong Kong once faced frequent deadly fires, particularly in poorer neighborhoods, improved safety standards have since significantly reduced such incidents.

    The city’s anti-corruption agency announced a probe into renovation activities at Wang Fuk Court, just hours after police detained three men suspected of negligently leaving foam packaging at the scene.

    Residents revealed that no fire alarms sounded, forcing neighbors to alert each other door-to-door as the flames spread. Following the tragedy, authorities committed to inspecting all major renovation projects in housing estates with urgency. City officials emphasized the need to replace bamboo scaffolding with safer materials.

    The confirmed death toll includes a 37-year-old firefighter and two Indonesian migrant domestic workers. In response, the government announced a HK$300 million ($38.5 million) fund to support victims. Seven shelters have been established, and assistance with housing and emergency aid is underway for those displaced.

    Furthermore, activities related to the upcoming legislative elections scheduled for December 7 have been put on hold as the city responds to this crisis.

  • Hong Kong Fire Claims 55 Lives; Hundreds Missing, Police Target Construction Firm

    Hong Kong Fire Claims 55 Lives; Hundreds Missing, Police Target Construction Firm

    Multiple high-rise apartments in Hong Kong caught fire, resulting in at least 55 deaths and nearly 300 people reported missing. The blaze, which started in the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, appears to have been caused by a construction company that allegedly used unsafe materials—an act described by police as “grossly negligent.” Efforts to reach residents trapped on the upper floors have been hampered by severe heat and dense smoke, even more than 24 hours after the fire ignited. The densely packed complex in Tai Po features eight blocks with over 2,000 apartments housing more than 4,600 residents, many of whom are struggling with the ongoing crisis.

    A resident named Wan, age 51, expressed devastation, noting they’ve lost everything in the fire and questioning what is left for them. Ng, a 52-year-old woman, was distraught while searching for her daughter outside a shelter, tearfully recounting how her family still hasn’t been able to reunite. Video from the scene showed flames emanating from two of the towers, which were covered in green safety mesh and bamboo scaffolding. Despite the efforts, the fire remains active, with authorities managing to control four of the seven affected buildings.

    Bamboo scaffolding, a traditional Chinese construction method, has been increasingly phased out in Hong Kong for safety reasons, but it remains in use, especially during ongoing renovations. Authorities raided the management company’s offices and seized documents mentioning the complex, though the company hasn’t responded publicly. Police have arrested three individuals—two directors and an engineering consultant—for manslaughter, suspecting gross negligence contributed to the disaster.

    Investigations revealed that some building windows had been sealed with foam during maintenance, possibly worsening the fire’s spread. Among the casualties, a firefighter is confirmed dead, and over 50 others are hospitalized in critical condition. Almost 280 individuals remain unaccounted for. The incident marks the deadliest fire in Hong Kong since 1948, when a warehouse blaze claimed 176 lives.

    People from Indonesia working on-site have reported two fatalities and two injuries. Local authorities have launched a thorough investigation, including into possible corruption related to the building’s renovation. The fire has drawn comparisons to the 2017 Grenfell Tower disaster in London, which was also linked to flammable exterior cladding and regulatory failures. Many residents and observers have criticized cost-cutting measures and negligence that may have contributed to this tragedy.

    President Xi Jinping of China has called for an “all-out effort” to extinguish the fire and minimize casualties. Road closures, bus reroutes, and school shutdowns are in effect while the response continues. The complex has been undergoing renovations costing around HK$330 million (roughly $42 million), with residents paying significant amounts for upgrades. The incident has prompted wide public outrage and demands for accountability.