Casualties are feared after an explosion erupted in a residential area of China's Shanxi province on Wednesday, April 30. According to reports, the blast occurred near a residential building in the Xiaodian District of Taiyuan, as reported by state broadcaster CCTV. Several firefighting vehicles and rescue workers were deployed to the scene.
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The fire brigade department of Xiaodian received a distress call at around 11 am on Wednesday. The cause of the blast and the extent of casualties are yet to be confirmed by the authorities.
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A video shared on X (formerly Twitter) shows panic and chaos in the area. A car was seen engulfed in flames, and shattered glass from windowpanes littered the street near the building. A seriously injured, half-naked man was also seen bleeding and wandering in search of medical help.
As per the local media reports, 17 people were injured in the explosion, including four who are in serious condition and were admitted to the state-run hospital for their treatment. “Fire and rescue personnel are currently entering the building where the explosion occurred to conduct a door-to-door search and rescue,” Xinhua added.
Earlier on Tuesday, 22 people died in a devastating fire that broke out a restaurant in Liaoyang City of China situated in northeastern Liaoning Province. The blaze had erupted in the afternoon at around 1.20 pm local time at the local restaurant located in the populated area. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for making "all possible efforts" to give the injured the best possible medical care.