Hot pot restaurant blast death toll 14
By Xu Chi |
November 25, 2012, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
The death toll from an explosion at a hot pot restaurant in north China's Shanxi Province on Friday evening has risen to 14, with another 47 people injured, local investigators announced yesterday.
The powerful explosion occurred just before 8pm at the Xiyangyang - Happy Sheep - Hot Pot Restaurant in Shouyang County, Jinzhong City.
Preliminary investigations said that the blast was caused by a gas leak.
The explosion shattered all the windows of the two-story building, damaged neighboring shops and even cars parked more than 50 meters away. The blaze that followed engulfed the building.
An investigation team established by the local government said six people were killed on the scene and eight died in hospital.
Among the 47 hurt in the blast, 17 were severely injured. They are being treated in a local hospital, with some being transferred to major hospitals in Taiyuan City, capital of Shanxi Province, investigators said.
Their identities have not been announced.
Filled with black smoke
Yuan Heping, who was slightly injured in the accident, said he saw nothing amiss before the explosion as he dined with his wife and a friend on the second floor of the restaurant.
He said he heard a loud bang as he started drinking beer, and then a hot wave struck them and the entire room was filled with black smoke.
"I quickly took off my sweater, used it to cover my mouth and jumped out of the window," Yuan told Xinhua News Agency. His wife was also slightly injured in the accident.
Sun Caizhen, a resident living meters from the restaurant, said she was watching TV with her 12-year-old daughter when they heard the explosion.
"There was a big bang and all the windows in the room shattered. My daughter thought that it was an earthquake, and immediately hid under the table," said Sun.
"Fire quickly spread through the restaurant, with heavy smoke blown into our community.
"We were scared to see people jumping from restaurant windows on the second floor," said Sun. "Some were trapped inside and trying with all their strength to smash the windows," she recalled.
Another resident, Zhao Chunrong, 66, was left shocked by the incident.
"I heard many people screaming for help after the explosion. I've never seen such an accident before, and now I can't sleep at night," said Zhao.
Hot pot is made by cooking ingredients in a pot heated by charcoal, electricity or gas. It is a very popular dish among Chinese people, especially in winter.
The explosion is still under investigation, said officials.
The powerful explosion occurred just before 8pm at the Xiyangyang - Happy Sheep - Hot Pot Restaurant in Shouyang County, Jinzhong City.
Preliminary investigations said that the blast was caused by a gas leak.
The explosion shattered all the windows of the two-story building, damaged neighboring shops and even cars parked more than 50 meters away. The blaze that followed engulfed the building.
An investigation team established by the local government said six people were killed on the scene and eight died in hospital.
Among the 47 hurt in the blast, 17 were severely injured. They are being treated in a local hospital, with some being transferred to major hospitals in Taiyuan City, capital of Shanxi Province, investigators said.
Their identities have not been announced.
Filled with black smoke
Yuan Heping, who was slightly injured in the accident, said he saw nothing amiss before the explosion as he dined with his wife and a friend on the second floor of the restaurant.
He said he heard a loud bang as he started drinking beer, and then a hot wave struck them and the entire room was filled with black smoke.
"I quickly took off my sweater, used it to cover my mouth and jumped out of the window," Yuan told Xinhua News Agency. His wife was also slightly injured in the accident.
Sun Caizhen, a resident living meters from the restaurant, said she was watching TV with her 12-year-old daughter when they heard the explosion.
"There was a big bang and all the windows in the room shattered. My daughter thought that it was an earthquake, and immediately hid under the table," said Sun.
"Fire quickly spread through the restaurant, with heavy smoke blown into our community.
"We were scared to see people jumping from restaurant windows on the second floor," said Sun. "Some were trapped inside and trying with all their strength to smash the windows," she recalled.
Another resident, Zhao Chunrong, 66, was left shocked by the incident.
"I heard many people screaming for help after the explosion. I've never seen such an accident before, and now I can't sleep at night," said Zhao.
Hot pot is made by cooking ingredients in a pot heated by charcoal, electricity or gas. It is a very popular dish among Chinese people, especially in winter.
The explosion is still under investigation, said officials.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
