2023 Yinchuan gas explosion

On 21 June 2023, 31 people died and seven others were injured at the Fuyang Barbecue Restaurant (Chinese: 富洋烧烤店) in Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China, after a gas explosion occurred on the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival.

Yinchuan gas explosion

2023 Yinchuan gas explosion (China)
Date	21 June 2023
Time	20:40 (BJT, UTC+8)
Location	Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
Coordinates	38°28′39″N 106°14′40″E
Type	Gas explosion
Cause	Leaking liquefied petroleum gas tank[1]
Deaths	31
Non-fatal injuries	7

The explosion was the deadliest in China since 2019, when 78 died in a blast at a chemical plant in the eastern province of Jiangsu.^[2]

Explosion

According to the state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), the explosion occurred at around 8:40 p.m. local time on a busy street, following a leak of a liquefied petroleum gas tank inside the kitchen of the restaurant.^[3][4][5][6] Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the leak.^{[6][needs update]}

Over a dozen firefighters battled the blaze while smoke billowed from a large opening in the front of the restaurant. The street was strewn with shards of glass and other debris.^[7] The Ministry of Emergency Management said that more than 100 personnel and 20 vehicles from fire and rescue services were deployed to the location.^[5] A video from the social media platform Douyin showed first responders with ladders, attempting to reach victims that were trapped on the second floor.^[8]

Casualties

At least 31 people died in the explosion, with seven others injured.^[5] The casualties included high school students and retirees. Of those killed, many died by smoke inhalation.^[9]

Aftermath

The provincial government relocated 64 families from neighboring residential compounds to hotels.^[10]

Investigation

Local media reported that based on an initial inquiry by the fire department, an employee at the restaurant detected the odor of a gas leak approximately one hour prior to the explosion. Subsequently, the employee identified a damaged valve on a liquefied gas tank and was in the midst of replacing it when the blast occurred.^[5] Nine people, including the restaurant's owner, shareholders, and staff were held by police following the explosion while their financial assets were ordered frozen.^[11]

Reactions

Yinchuan city government holds a press conference on the explosion.

General Secretary of the Communist Party Xi Jinping urged for utmost efforts in providing medical care to the injured.^[12][13] He ordered an "all-out rescue and treatment of the injured" and requested strengthened safety measures.^[14]

On 22 June 2023, Yinchuan authorities vowed to launch an investigation into relevant industries to avoid similar calamities in the future.^[10]