Baghdad-INA
16 people have died in a fire at a mall in southwest China, according to a new toll reported by China’s official news agency on Thursday, citing local rescue officials.
For more news, subscribe to our channel on Telegram
A previous toll included at least six deaths, according to official media reports.
The fire started early in the evening in the city of Zigong in Sichuan province, which is located 1,600 kilometers from the capital, Beijing. Zigong Emergency Services said in a statement that “firefighters are doing their best to control the situation,” asking residents “not to believe rumors or exaggerate.”
“Relief teams are continuing search and rescue operations,” state television CCTV said.
The channel confirmed that the emergency services were able to rescue around thirty people, and that others were “trapped”.
State television reported that the shopping center is located at the base of a 14-story building, adding that the fire spread to the ground floor as well as the fourth, fifth and sixth floors.
Pictures broadcast by the channel showed thick black smoke rising from a building above a shopping street.
“At 20:20 (12:20 GMT), the fire was extinguished,” said ACC.
2024-07-18 22:39:25