Beijing hospital fire death toll reaches 29

What we know so far:

- 29 people have died, including patients, family member and medical workers

- The cause of the accident is preliminarily due to the renovation of the building

- Twelve people, including the hospital chief, have been detained

- 39 victims from the fire are receiving treatment at nine medical institutions throughout Beijing

Twenty-nine people have died as a result of a fire in Beijing Changfeng Hospital by 9 am on Wednesday, an official said at a news conference at 12:30 pm on Wednesday.

Li Zongrong, deputy head of Fengtai district where the hospital is located, said 26 of the victims were patients. The others were family member and medical workers.

Officials from the fire department said at the news conference that the cause of the accident is preliminarily due to the renovation of the building. The details of the cause are under investigation.

Twelve people, including three from the hospital and two from a construction company, have been detained by the police.

At 12:57 pm on Tuesday, a fire occurred at the hospital, by 3:30 pm the on-site rescue work had been completed. A total of 71 patients had been evacuated and transferred.

Beijing officials put efforts toward eliminating potential fire hazards

Beijing hospitals continue caring for fire victims