Hebei, China

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported a suspected gas explosion that caused significant damage to multiple buildings in a town in Hebei province, northern China, on Wednesday (March 13). CCTV reported the explosion began in a ground-floor restaurant in an old residential area. It happened around 7:55 am (2355 GMT) in Xiaozhanggezhuang, Yanjiao, near Beijing, in Sanhe City, less than 50 kilometres east of the capital. The explosion has killed at least one person and injured 22, as per state media reports. 

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The footage shared by CCTV showed a massive explosion emitting smoke and flames, disrupting traffic during the morning rush hour. Additionally, social media clips showed a collapsed building and several damaged vehicles.

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Authorities are currently conducting investigations to ascertain the exact cause of the incident and evaluate the extent of the destruction. Emergency response teams have been dispatched to the scene to provide assistance. 

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String of fatal incidents

China frequently experiences explosions and other fatal accidents due to relaxed safety regulations and inadequate enforcement.

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President Xi Jinping has urged profound introspection and intensified efforts to reduce the occurrence of such incidents. Recent months have witnessed several tragic events, often stemming from official negligence.

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Last month, a fire in a residential building in Nanjing claimed 15 lives and injured 44. In January, a store fire in Xinyu led to numerous fatalities, attributed to unauthorised fire usage. Days later, a fire at a school in Henan killed 13 sleeping students, allegedly caused by an electric heating device. In November 2023, a coal company office fire in Shanxi resulted in 26 fatalities and numerous injuries. Additionally, an explosion at a barbecue restaurant in northwest China last June killed 31 individuals.

(With inputs from agencies)