SHANGHAI, China — A fire that engulfed a high-rise apartment building, killing at least 53 people in one of the deadliest fires in years, deepened the unease in this city of 20 million, most of whom live in high-rises.
Video and online accounts suggested some residents were trapped on the roof of the 28-story building and that a few may have jumped to their deaths. Three helicopters tried to rescue residents from above, but flames and thick smoke hampered the efforts, Xinhua said. Some people clung to scaffolding; others were able to climb down.
Against the backdrop of a nationwide construction boom, buildings across the city are under construction or renovation.
Local officials said the building housed 156 families, and many people remained unaccounted for. More than 70 were reportedly rushed to hospitals. Shanghai television said rescue officials set up a command center in a nearby stadium, the BBC reported.
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Video and online accounts suggested some residents were trapped on the roof of the 28-story building and that a few may have jumped to their deaths. Three helicopters tried to rescue residents from above, but flames and thick smoke hampered the efforts, Xinhua said. Some people clung to scaffolding; others were able to climb down.
Against the backdrop of a nationwide construction boom, buildings across the city are under construction or renovation.
Local officials said the building housed 156 families, and many people remained unaccounted for. More than 70 were reportedly rushed to hospitals. Shanghai television said rescue officials set up a command center in a nearby stadium, the BBC reported.
View Full Story
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