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A tragic incident occurred in Yanshanpu village, central China’s Henan province, where thirteen schoolchildren lost their lives in a dormitory fire, as reported by the official Xinhua news agency on Saturday. The fire was reported to the local fire department at 11:00 pm (1500 GMT) on Friday night.
The victims, all from the same third-grade class of nine and ten-year-olds, were confirmed dead, with one student injured. The affected boarding school in the area was cordoned off on Saturday evening, and a heavy police presence was observed.
Details surrounding the incident were not readily available, but witnesses reported the dormitory building’s windows being smashed. Yanshanpu village appeared quiet and foggy, with a minimal security presence, and local authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire.
The injured survivor is undergoing treatment at the hospital and is reported to be in stable condition. A person associated with the school has been detained as part of the ongoing investigation, according to Xinhua.
The tragedy has sparked outrage on Chinese social media, with users expressing grief and calling for accountability for any safety lapses that may have contributed to the incident. Deadly accidents, including fires, are unfortunately common in China due to lax safety standards and poor enforcement.
This incident follows a series of unfortunate events, such as a fire at a coal company office in November, which claimed 26 lives, and a school gym roof collapse in July that resulted in 11 fatalities. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for thorough investigations into hidden risks in key industries to improve emergency plans and prevention measures.
