China explosion at barbecue restaurant leaves 31 dead, 7 injured
Views (64)
Chinese President Xi Jinping launched a "national safety" campaign after a reported blast at a barbecue restaurant killed 31 people on Wednesday.
Chinese President Xi Jinping launched a national safety campaign Thursday, a day after state media reported 31 people were killed in an explosion at a barbeque restaurant.
The blast tore through the restaurant at around 8:40 p.m. Wednesday on a busy street in Yinchuan, the capital of the traditionally Muslim Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, as people gathered ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival, according to the Xinhua News Agency. In addition to those killed, reports say seven others were hurt, including at least one critically.
An hour before the explosion, employees noticed the smell of cooking gas and discovered that a gas tank valve was broken, according to Xinhua. The blast occurred while an employee was replacing the valve.
Xi demanded urgent medical care for the injured and a safety overhaul after the explosion, Xinhua said.
The Chinese president urged efforts to quickly determine the cause of the accident and hold people accountable under the law.
Xi also said all regions and related departments should address "all types of risks and hidden dangers" and launch campaigns to promote workplace safety.
The blast happened at an outlet of Fuyang Barbecue, a chain restaurant in Yinchuan popular for its grilled skewers and stir-fried dishes, The Paper said. The two-floor restaurant could seat 20 people on the ground floor and offered private dining rooms and karaoke on the second floor.
A video on social media platform Douyin – the version of TikTok permitted in the Chinese mainland – showed rescuers on ladders trying to reach victims on the second floor, according to The Associated Press. People who appeared to have minor injuries waited for help at the side of the road. Other videos showed at least six fire trucks at the scene and some onlookers crying.
Reuters reported that the blast ignited debate on Chinese social media regarding the safety of barbecue restaurants, which have been trendy among online influencers. Their popularity has increased as domestic travel soared after the lifting of the government's "zero-COVID" control measures late last year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
0 Likes