At least 36 people have died and two more are missing following a fire that broke out in a factory in central China, the official Xinhua news agency reported, citing local authorities.
The fire occurred “on Monday afternoon in a plant in the city of Anyang, in the central province of Henan,” Xinhua said.
State media said rescue services first received reports of a fire at 4:22 pm, at Kaixinda Trading Co Ltd, Wenfeng District, or “high-tech zone,” in Anyang city. “After receiving the alarm, the Municipal Fire Rescue Detachment immediately dispatched forces to the scene,” broadcaster CCTV said.
“Public safety, emergency response, city administration and power supply units rushed to the scene simultaneously to carry out emergency management and rescue work,” he said, adding that the fire had been extinguished. around 11pm.
In addition to the dead and missing, two people are in hospital injured but not life threatening, CCTV still reports.
Authorities said “criminal suspects” had been taken into custody in connection with the fire, but gave no further details.
