Fire in Administrative Building of Chinese Coal Company Claims 25 Lives

Official Chinese media reported today, Thursday, that a fire broke out in an administrative building of a coal company in Shanxi Province, northern China, resulting in the deaths of 25 people. The fire ignited at 6:50 AM in the four-story building of the Yongju Coal Company in Shanxi, the largest coal production center in China. China Central Television had earlier reported that the fire killed 11 people and injured at least 51, before the death toll was raised twice. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Previous deadly fires have sparked public outrage in China. In April, 29 people died in a hospital fire in Beijing, leading to criticism of local authorities on social media. Coal producers in China are already under scrutiny due to mining accidents that have occurred in recent months, casting a shadow over production levels as mines are temporarily shut down for safety inspections.