Tragedy struck at Yingcai school in Dushu, Henan province, where a fire in the dormitories claimed the lives of thirteen pupils, all from the same third-grade class of nine- and 10-year-olds, according to Chinese state media reports.
The fire, which started on Friday night, was extinguished just before midnight, and the school’s owner was detained, as reported by China’s state broadcaster, CCTV.
The school, located in the rural Fangcheng district, primarily serves students in the elementary grades, with an attached kindergarten, and is known for giving students from rural areas a break every two weeks.
This tragic incident is not an isolated one, as deadly accidents are common in China, with previous incidents including a fire at a coal company office, a school gym roof collapse, and a barbecue restaurant explosion, all resulting in multiple fatalities.
The devastating loss of young lives in this fire has once again brought attention to the urgent need for improved safety measures in schools and other public spaces in China.
2024-01-20 08:37:50
Source from www.theguardian.com