2023 Yinchuan gas explosion

On 21 June 2023, 31 people died and seven others were injured at the Fuyang Barbecue Restaurant (Chinese: 富洋烧烤店) in Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China, after a gas explosion occurred on the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival.

Yinchuan gas explosion
2023 Yinchuan gas explosion is located in China
2023 Yinchuan gas explosion
2023 Yinchuan gas explosion (China)
Date21 June 2023
Time20:40 (BJT, UTC+8)
LocationXingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
Coordinates38°28′39″N 106°14′40″E
TypeGas explosion
CauseLeaking liquefied petroleum gas tank[1]
Deaths31
Non-fatal injuries7

The explosion was the deadliest in China since 2019, when 78 died in a blast at a chemical plant in the eastern province of Jiangsu.[2]

Explosion

According to the state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), the explosion occurred at around 8:40 p.m. local time on a busy street, following a leak of a liquefied petroleum gas tank inside the kitchen of the restaurant.[3][4][5][6] Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the leak.[6]

CCTV aired footage showing over a dozen firefighters battling the blaze while smoke billowed from a large opening in the front of the restaurant. The street was strewn with shards of glass and other debris.[7] The Ministry of Emergency Management stated that more than 100 personnel and 20 vehicles from fire and rescue services were deployed to the location.[5] A video from the social media platform Douyin showed first responders with ladders, attempting to reach victims that were trapped on the second floor.[8]

Casualties

At least 31 people died in the explosion, with seven others injured.[5] The casualties included high school students and retirees. Of those killed, many died by smoke inhalation.[9]

Aftermath

The provincial government relocated 64 families from neighboring residential compounds to hotels.[10]

Investigation

Local media reported that based on an initial inquiry by the fire department, an employee at the restaurant detected the odor of a gas leak approximately one hour prior to the explosion. Subsequently, the employee identified a damaged valve on a liquefied gas tank and was in the midst of replacing it when the blast occurred.[5] Nine people, including the restaurant's owner, shareholders, and staff were held by police following the explosion while their financial assets were ordered frozen.[11]

Reactions

General Secretary of the Communist Party Xi Jinping urged for utmost efforts in providing medical care to the injured.[12][13] He ordered an "all-out rescue and treatment of the injured" and requested strengthened safety measures.[14]

On 22 June 2023, Yinchuan authorities vowed to launch an investigation into relevant industries to avoid similar calamities in the future.[10]

References
  1. Jett, Jennifer (22 June 2023). "Explosion kills 31 people at a barbecue restaurant in China". NBC News. Archived from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  2. Dang, Yuanyue (22 June 2023). "9 held after China restaurant gas tank blast kills 31 on eve of festival". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  3. Yeung, Jessie (22 June 2023). "31 dead after gas explosion at barbecue restaurant in China". CNN. Archived from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  4. Woo, Ryan (22 June 2023). "Blast at BBQ shop in northwest China kills 31". Reuters. Archived from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  5. Yong, Nicholas (22 June 2023). "Yinchuan: China restaurant gas explosion kills 31". BBC News. Archived from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  6. "Meer dan dertig doden na explosie in restaurant in China" [More than 30 dead after explosion at restaurant in China]. NOS (in Dutch). 22 June 2023. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  7. "Cooking gas explosion kills 31 people at a barbecue restaurant in northwestern China". NPR. Associated Press. 22 June 2023. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  8. "China's president orders safety campaign after explosion at barbecue restaurant kills 31 people". Associated Press. 22 June 2023. Archived from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  9. "Explosion at Chinese restaurant kills 31 people". The Telegraph. 22 June 2023. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  10. Dongmei, Hu; Juan, Du (22 June 2023). "31 dead, 7 hurt in blast in Ningxia". China Daily. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  11. "At least 31 dead after gas explosion at China barbecue restaurant". Al Jazeera. 22 June 2023. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  12. "应急管理部工作组在宁夏银川市指导燃气爆炸事故应急处置工作". Ministry of Emergency Management (应急管理部) (in Chinese (China)). 22 June 2023. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023. 根据习近平总书记的重要指示 (According to the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping)
  13. China: blast at Yinchuan barbecue restaurant kills dozens – video. The Guardian. Reuters and Xinhua News Agency. 22 June 2023.
  14. "Explosion kills 31 people at a barbecue restaurant in China". NBC News. 22 June 2023. Archived from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
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