BEIJING: A fire engulfed a structure owned by Yongju Coal Company in Lvliang city, a major coal-producing area in northern Shanxi province early Thursday, claiming the lives of 19 individuals and causing injuries to several dozen others. According to a report by state broadcaster CCTV, authorities confirmed that the incident occurred in a building linked to the coal company.
Rescue and emergency teams were promptly dispatched to the scene, and district officials mentioned in a statement that they successfully evacuated 63 individuals. However, it remains uncertain if the 19 casualties were part of those evacuated, as stated in the CCTV report.
The fire seemed to have ignited within a structure housing offices and dormitories rather than at the coal mining site. Despite China experiencing occasional coal mine accidents, the government has been diligently striving to enhance safety measures.
