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At least 14 people were killed and 25 others remained hospitalized after a massive fire tore through a 40-storey building in northern China's Shanxi province, with nine of the injured reported to be in serious condition, state media reported Monday.
The fire broke out at approximately 4:59 p.m. local time on Sunday at a high-rise building on Liuxiang South Road in Yingze district, downtown Taiyuan, the provincial capital, according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency.
The blaze was brought under control at around 7 p.m., while rescue operations were completed by 8:30 p.m., local authorities said.
A total of 38 people were taken to hospital following the incident. Five deaths were initially confirmed on Sunday night, but the death toll rose to 14 by Monday morning as authorities provided updated casualty figures.
Firefighters deployed cranes and other emergency equipment to tackle the flames, while thick smoke billowed from the 40-storey structure.
The building, known as Haosheng International Apartments, houses residential units, a hotel, shops, and several educational and training centers, according to local media reports.
Authorities said emergency efforts were continuing to treat the injured and deal with the aftermath of the disaster.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and officials have yet to release further details about what triggered the blaze or whether any safety violations were involved.
The incident occurred in a densely populated downtown area surrounded by hospitals, schools, commercial centers, and tourist attractions.
The latest tragedy has renewed attention to fire safety standards and emergency preparedness in China's densely populated urban areas, where high-rise residential and commercial buildings house large numbers of people.
China has experienced several deadly building fires in recent years, raising concerns about fire prevention measures, construction standards, and the enforcement of safety regulations.
In November 2025, a devastating fire engulfed several residential high-rise buildings in Hong Kong, killing 168 people and becoming one of the city's deadliest fire disasters in decades.
A separate fire at a residential building in Guangdong province the following month killed 12 people.
The circumstances surrounding the Taiyuan blaze are still being investigated. (ILKHA)
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