China’s president orders safety campaign after explosion at barbecue restaurant kills 31 people

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China’s President Initiates Safety Campaign Following Fatal Explosion at Barbecue Restaurant

Following a tragic explosion at a barbecue restaurant in northwest China that claimed the lives of 31 people and left seven others injured, the country’s president has ordered a nationwide safety campaign. The incident occurred on the eve of a long holiday weekend, causing significant devastation.

The explosion took place at approximately 8:40 p.m. on Wednesday in Yinchuan, the capital of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The restaurant, located on a bustling street, was packed with individuals preparing for the Dragon Boat Festival. Among the victims were elderly individuals and high school students, according to The Paper, an online news site.

Reports indicate that the blast rendered many people unconscious, necessitating their rescue from the premises. The explosion was triggered when an employee was replacing a broken valve on a gas tank, shortly after employees had detected the smell of cooking gas.

Chinese President Xi Jinping swiftly responded to the tragedy by calling for urgent medical attention to the injured and a comprehensive safety evaluation. He emphasized the need to promptly determine the cause of the accident and hold those responsible accountable under the law. President Xi further urged all regions and relevant departments to address various risks and concealed hazards, as well as launch campaigns to promote workplace safety.

Authorities have already detained nine individuals, including the restaurant owner, shareholders, and employees. Their assets have also been frozen. The restaurant in question is part of the Fuyang Barbecue chain, known for its grilled skewers and stir-fried dishes. The establishment had a seating capacity of 20 on the ground floor, while the second floor offered private dining rooms and karaoke services.

Videos circulating on Douyin, a popular social media platform, depicted the efforts of rescue teams using ladders to reach victims on the second floor. Minorly injured individuals were seen waiting for assistance on the roadside, while onlookers expressed their grief. Fire trucks and emergency personnel were present at the scene.

While some victims were taken to the emergency clinic at the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, specific details were not disclosed. Authorities confirmed the completion of search and rescue operations at the restaurant and announced that investigations were underway to determine the cause of the blast.

The Dragon Boat Festival is a significant holiday in China, marked by the consumption of rice dumplings and dragon boat races. Yinchuan’s population is predominantly Han Chinese, with a notable proportion being Hui people, or Chinese Muslims.

Unfortunately, industrial accidents of this nature are not uncommon in China, often attributed to inadequate government supervision, corruption, cost-cutting measures by employers, and insufficient employee safety training. Recent incidents include an explosion at a petrochemical plant that claimed nine lives and a helicopter crash during the May Day holiday that resulted in three fatalities. In past cases, such as the collapse of a coal mine in Inner Mongolia and a fire at an industrial trading company in central China, multiple arrests were made.

In response to the 2015 explosion at a chemical warehouse in Tianjin, which killed 173 people, the central government pledged to implement stronger safety measures. Many local officials involved were accused of accepting bribes to overlook safety violations.

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This report includes contributions from AP video producer Penny Wang in Bangkok.

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