13 detained after coal co building fire kills 26

The police have taken criminal coercive measures against 13 individuals related to a fire at an office building belonging to a coal mine on Thursday in North China’s Shanxi Province, which has killed 26 and hospitalized 38 people, according to Shanxi government officials at a press conference on Friday.

The Work Safety Committee of China’s State Council will send a working group to Shanxi to monitor the whole process of the investigation into the cause of the fire and punishment of those responsible.

The State Council said that despite the total number of accidents in China dropping in 2023, there has been an obvious rebound in the number of severe accidents.

Appointed by President Xi Jinping, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing traveled to Shanxi Province on Thursday afternoon to guide the rescue operation and emergency response.

Zhang, who led relevant departments from within the State Council, entered the office building that broke out in flames to inspect the scene of the blaze. He then visited the First People’s Hospital of Lüliang to meet the injured, urging medical staff to work around the clock to treat the injured.

Zhang held a meeting on Thursday evening with officials from Shanxi provincial and Lüliang city governments, saying that President Xi, who is currently overseas, expressed great concern over the accident and had issued clear requirements on attending to the injured, post-incident care and consolation, accident investigation, and inspection of potential hazards.

Zhang emphasized the need to organize medical experts and advanced medical equipment to ensure that every injured individual receives scientific treatment and meticulous care, asking relevant department to provide media updates and to proactively respond to the public’s concerns.

Zhang said governments in other Chinese regions should also take lessons and focus on key industries such as coal mining, firefighting, and gas in the winter to avoid various safety risks and hazards.