Huge gas explosion rips through a hotel in China as footage shows onlookers fleeing for their lives
- The blast took place this morning in the city of Zhuhai in southern China
- Onlookers were observing the smoke when the gas explosion occurred
- Footage shows terrified bystanders running away after a fire broke out
- Three people were injured in the incident and no one died, officials said
A gas explosion ripped through a hotel in southern China on Friday, leaving at least three people injured, authorities have said.
The blast this morning in the province of Guangdong also destroyed multiple shops and residential buildings nearby, local officials confirmed.
Footage has captured the moment the explosion rocked the building in the city of Zhuhai after passersby had gathered to observe plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky.
Footage has captured the moment the explosion rocked the building in the city of Zhuhai, China, after passersby had gathered to observe plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky
Three people were injured in the incident and no one died, according to an official statement
Authorities said multiple shops and residential buildings nearby were destroyed by the blast
One clip, released by Zhuhai Channel, shows terrified onlookers fleeing for their lives as a massive fire erupted from the site.
Another video from the same outlet shows the hotel seriously damaged and the street covered by debris following the blast. Police officers can be seen helping one person who appears to be injured.
The blast took place at 9am in Tenghu Hotel in the city’s district of Doumen, officials announced on social media.
Zhuhai is a major export hub in southern China and borders Macau. It has a population of around two million.
A picture taken after the explosion shows the street covered by debris in Zhuhai city, China
Three people were reported to be injured, including two with minor injuries and one with burns
A statement posted by the Doumen District Propaganda Department claimed that rescuers attended the scene at the earliest possible time. The blaze was said to be put out at around 10am.
No one was trapped in the building, the authority said. Three people were injured, including two with minor injuries and one with burns, it added.
In a follow-up statement, the propaganda officials stated that a total of nine people had been rescued. The blast damaged around 150 square metres (1,614 square feet) of the hotel.
It remains unclear whether or not there were guests staying in the hotel at the time of the incident.
Local officials said 19 fire engines and 95 firefighters had been involved in the rescue efforts
The incident took place at 9am today in the district of Doumen (seen in May) in Zhuhai city
The authority said that six fire-fighting teams, equipped with 19 fire engines and 95 firefighters, had been involved in the rescue efforts.
Officials also criticised allegations that 255 people had been taken to the hospital by ambulances.
They confirmed that the number had been input into the registering system for casualties, but claimed it was an ‘improper operation’ by relevant staff.