The Ditible
A devastating fire ripped through a 14-story shopping center in Xinjiang Province on Wednesday evening(July 17), claiming the lives of 16 people.
Emergency responders worked tirelessly through the night to extinguish the blaze and rescue those trapped inside. A total of 30 individuals were successfully evacuated from the burning building.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest that construction work underway in the building may have been a contributing factor. Thick, black smoke billowed from the structure as firefighters battled the flames.
China has seen a surge in fire incidents, with a 19% increase compared to the previous year, according to Reuters. The hospitality industry has been particularly hard hit, with a 40% rise in fires at hotels and restaurants.
