At least 20 people have died in a devastating fire at a nursing home in northern China, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday.
The blaze broke out around 9.00 pm local time on Tuesday at a care facility in Longhua County, located in Hebei province—about 180 kilometres from the capital, Beijing. According to authorities, the fire was brought under control, but not before claiming multiple lives.
By 3.00 am on Wednesday, 20 fatalities had been confirmed.
Several other elderly residents were moved to nearby hospitals for medical evaluation and treatment, Xinhua said, adding that their conditions were being closely monitored.
Officials have yet to determine what caused the fire. An investigation is currently underway.