The death toll from a fire at a hospital southwest of Beijing has risen to 29, including 26 patients, according to the latest update from Chinese authorities.
However, twelve people were arrested after the fire, police said. Among the detainees are the director of the hospital and employees of the company in charge of repairing the establishment.
The update on the number of victims included a nurse, a treating doctor and a family member of the patient, said Li Zongrong, deputy director of Fengtai district.
The fire at the Changfeng private hospital forced the evacuation of dozens of people. Some of the patients and staff managed to escape through the windows by improvising a rope made from sheets. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
The firefighters managed to put out the flames half an hour later, although the rescue operation lasted approximately two hours.
Deadly fires are common in China, where poor enforcement of building regulations and rampant unauthorized construction can make it difficult for people to escape burning buildings.
On Monday, at least 11 people died after a fire broke out at a factory in the city of Jinhua, in east China’s Zhejiang province.
Source: TSF
