2023-04-19 09:36:32
Status: 04/19/2023 11:36 a.m
Twelve people have been arrested following a fire broke out in a Beijing hospital. At least 29 people died in the fire, many of them patients. Renovation work is suspected to be the cause of the fire.
At least 29 people died in a fire at a Beijing hospital. The fire at Changfeng Hospital in the southwestern district of Fengtai broke out on Tuesday – the deputy chief of the city’s fire department pointed to renovation work as a possible cause. According to initial investigations, flying sparks might have ignited combustible materials.
Twelve people responsible were initially arrested. Among them were the director of the hospital and two employees of the construction company involved.
Dramatic scenes in the hospital fire
Videos shared online showed people climbing out of windows on knotted sheets to get to safety. Others saved themselves on air conditioners mounted on the building’s facade. According to official figures, most of the fatalities are bedridden patients. A nurse, a medical assistant and a relative also died in the fire. 142 patients were brought to safety by the fire brigade and transferred to other clinics. A total of around 80 people were injured.
According to state media, the Chinese authorities have ordered security checks in all hospitals in the capital.
China: At least 29 dead in hospital fire
Eva Lamby-Schmitt, ARD Beijing, 19.4.2023 · 10:37 am
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