At least 119 people were killed when a fire tore through a locked poultry slaughterhouse in northeastern China on Monday, state media reported.
Officials believe the blaze may have started in the electrical system of the plant, in the Mishazi Township of Dehui City, about 75 miles northeast of the provincial capital Changchun.
Chinese state television said the high number of employees in the facility at the time was because the fire broke out during a shift change.
Over 300 workers were in the plant when the fire began, survivors told state news agency Xinhua, adding they heard a sudden bang and then witnessed dark smoke.
"About 100 workers have managed to escape from the plant whose gate was locked when the fire occurred," Xinhua said, according to Reuters.
"The complicated interior structure of the prefabricated house in which the fire broke out and the narrow exits have added difficulties to the rescue work," Xinhua added.
The regional government said 54 people were injured and had been rushed to hospital.
China has a poor record on fire safety. Fire exits are often locked or blocked and regulations can be easily skirted by bribing corrupt officials.
Officials believe the blaze may have started in the electrical system of the plant, in the Mishazi Township of Dehui City, about 75 miles northeast of the provincial capital Changchun.
Chinese state television said the high number of employees in the facility at the time was because the fire broke out during a shift change.
Over 300 workers were in the plant when the fire began, survivors told state news agency Xinhua, adding they heard a sudden bang and then witnessed dark smoke.
"About 100 workers have managed to escape from the plant whose gate was locked when the fire occurred," Xinhua said, according to Reuters.
"The complicated interior structure of the prefabricated house in which the fire broke out and the narrow exits have added difficulties to the rescue work," Xinhua added.
The regional government said 54 people were injured and had been rushed to hospital.
China has a poor record on fire safety. Fire exits are often locked or blocked and regulations can be easily skirted by bribing corrupt officials.
Courtesy of nbc news
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