(Web Desk) – At least 30 people have been killed in two separate deadly incidents in China and Türkiye, highlighting the devastating consequences of fires and industrial accidents.
In northern China, a fire at a high-rise building in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, claimed at least 14 lives, while an explosion at a steel manufacturing plant in western Türkiye killed 16 workers on Monday.
The incidents also left dozens of people injured, with authorities investigating the causes of both disasters.
14 killed in China building fire
At least 14 people were killed and 25 others remained hospitalised following a fire at a high-rise building in downtown Taiyuan, the capital of China’s Shanxi province, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Monday.
The fire broke out at around 4:59pm local time on Sunday, November 8. Firefighters brought the flames under control approximately two hours later, while rescue operations concluded at 8:30pm.
Authorities initially confirmed five deaths late Sunday, but the toll subsequently increased to at least 14.
Of the 25 people still receiving medical treatment, nine sustained serious injuries. A total of 38 people were transported to hospitals following the incident.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Pakistan expressed solidarity with China following the tragedy.
President Asif Ali Zardari conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and the Chinese leadership, expressing deep grief over the loss of life.
He reaffirmed the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China, saying the people of Pakistan stood in solidarity with their Chinese brothers and sisters during the difficult time.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also extended condolences to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Chinese people and the families of those killed.
In a post on X, the prime minister expressed sadness over the incident and prayed for the swift and full recovery of those injured.
16 killed in Türkiye steel plant explosion
In a separate tragedy, an explosion at a steel manufacturing plant in western Türkiye killed 16 people and injured 13 others on Monday, November 9.
The blast occurred at the HABAS iron and steel factory in the Aliaga district of Izmir province, approximately 60 kilometres north of the port city of Izmir.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the death toll and ordered investigations into the incident.
Izmir Governor Suleyman Elban said the explosion occurred around midday during maintenance work involving the replacement of a boiler.
According to the governor, an overhead crane collapsed into a large electric-powered furnace used in the steelmaking process, triggering the explosion.
Eight workers were initially reported trapped following the incident.
Footage circulated online showed thick black smoke rising above the industrial facility as flames engulfed part of the plant.
Eyewitnesses described the explosion as resembling an earthquake, while another worker compared the blast to a bomb detonating.
Two of the injured workers were reported to be in serious condition.
Erdogan said investigators would establish the circumstances surrounding the disaster, including whether negligence was involved and who should be held responsible.
Workplace safety concerns emerge
The explosion has also revived concerns about workplace safety at the privately owned HABAS steel facility.
Workers’ groups alleged that the factory had a history of safety-related incidents.
According to the Turkish daily Evrensel, at least 11 workers had died at the facility over the previous decade.
Türkiye’s Labour Party said Monday’s explosion was the third incident involving worker fatalities at the factory in three weeks.
It cited the death of a worker who reportedly fell from a ladder on October 21 and another worker who died after a tyre he was inflating on construction equipment exploded.
Meanwhile, representatives of the Aegean Workers’ Collective called for accountability over workplace safety conditions. Two representatives were reportedly arrested while attempting to make a statement outside the hospital where injured workers were being treated.
The pro-Kurdish DEM Party also called for a transparent investigation into the explosion, urging authorities to establish whether negligence or inadequate oversight contributed to the disaster.
HABAS did not respond to questions from an AFP journalist regarding the incident and the allegations raised by workers’ groups.
Investigations underway
The two incidents occurred in different countries and under different circumstances, but both resulted in significant loss of life and raised questions about emergency response and public safety.
While Chinese authorities investigate the cause of the high-rise building fire, Turkish investigators are examining the industrial explosion, including the possible role of equipment failure and workplace safety standards.
The tragedies have left dozens of families mourning their loved ones and renewed attention on the importance of fire prevention, industrial safety regulations and effective enforcement of workplace standards.
