Vice-Premier leads task force guiding response to deadly fire in Shanxi

Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing has arrived in Lyuliang, Shanxi province, to guide rescue and response work after a deadly fire at an office building owned by a coal mining company, Xinhua News Agency reported on Friday.

He emphasized the need to make every effort to treat the injured and rule out hidden dangers at Shanxi Lyuliang Lishi Yongju Coal Industry Co, it said.

Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, led a task force to Lyuliang on Thursday, Xinhua reported, and went to the scene of the accident, which killed at least 26 people and injured 38, to oversee rescue work.

He then visited the injured at a hospital, asking medical staff to make every effort to save lives. He also visited rescue teams.

At a late-night meeting, Zhang told local officials to organize medical experts and prepare equipment to ensure the best treatment and nursing for the injured.

He said the family members of the dead and injured must be comforted, relevant information must be released efficiently to address public concerns, and a thorough investigation of the accident must be conducted, Xinhua said.

Zhang emphasized that all regions and relevant departments should learn profound lessons from the accident and eliminate blind spots in safety management.

They must pay close attention to key industries such as coal mines in winter due to increased heating needs, he said.