Gas Explosion at Mayor's Office in Hubei Province, China... 150 Casualties (Comprehensive)

On the 13th, rescue teams were managing the site of a gas explosion accident at a grocery market in Shiyan City, Hubei Province, central China.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eunbyeol] A gas explosion occurred at a grocery market in Shiyan City, Hubei Province, China, resulting in a major accident with 150 people dead or injured.

According to online media Pengpai on the 13th (local time), at around 6:30 a.m., a large explosion suddenly occurred at a grocery market in a residential area of Jiangwan District, Shiyan City, causing severe damage to nearby buildings. The area around the explosion site was left in ruins as if it had been bombed, with debris from buildings scattered and piled up in the middle of the road.

Many casualties occurred as people were buried in various places like an earthquake site. At the time, many citizens were at the market either shopping or having breakfast.

As of 2 p.m., authorities reported that 150 people were rescued at the scene and transported to hospitals, with 12 confirmed dead and 138 injured. Among the injured, 37 are in serious condition. Rescue and search operations are ongoing simultaneously, and the number of casualties may increase. Authorities believe the explosion was caused by gas and are investigating the exact cause of the accident.

A witness told Pengpai, "I was heading toward the market to have breakfast when a huge explosion sound occurred, the market building collapsed, and bricks and stones flew everywhere in an instant." Ying Yong, Party Secretary of Hubei Province, instructed, "Make every effort to carry out rescue and search operations for those buried to minimize human losses, identify the cause of the accident, eliminate risk factors, and strictly hold those responsible accountable."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.