Taiyuan high‑rise fire kills up to 14, prompts nationwide inspections

What happened

Fire broke out in a high‑rise building in the centre of Taiyuan, Shanxi province, China, according to Xinhua. The building, known as the Hao Sheng International Apartments, contains residential units, a hotel, shops, restaurants and training centres for children. FAZ (German)RFI Chinese (Chinese)Bangladesh Pratidin

The blaze started in the late afternoon, with one report placing it on Sunday 8 November 2025 around 5 pm and another indicating a Monday morning start. Firefighters brought the flames under control by about 7 pm and completed rescue work near 8:30 pm. FAZ (German)RFI Chinese (Chinese)Bangladesh Pratidin

Reported death counts differ, with some sources saying five people died and others reporting fourteen fatalities. The number of people taken to hospitals also varies, with figures of 25, more than 30 and a specific count of 38 patients mentioned. Nine of the injured were said to be in serious condition. FAZ (German)RFI Chinese (Chinese)Bangladesh Pratidin

Firefighters employed high‑rise equipment to fight the fire from the building’s exterior and rescued trapped occupants about 40 minutes after the blaze began. Local police took part in the emergency response and the district administration said it was making maximum efforts to treat the injured while launching an investigation into the cause. RFI Chinese (Chinese)Bangladesh Pratidin

A few days after the incident Chinese authorities ordered nationwide fire‑safety inspections of high‑rise buildings. Officials highlighted that lax building standards and insufficient labour‑safety management make fire accidents relatively frequent in the country. FAZ (German)RFI Chinese (Chinese)

The details

The structure is approximately 40 storeys tall. RFI Chinese (Chinese)

A hotel employee suggested the fire may have started on the fifth floor. Bangladesh Pratidin

Several people were injured on the eighth floor of the building. Bangladesh Pratidin

One hotel guest described waking to the smell of smoke, wetting a towel in the bathroom and using it to protect against fumes. Later, five more people were seen trying to exit through the corridor, and they broke window coverings to reach an external platform for safety. Bangladesh Pratidin

Who is reporting what

FAZ reported fourteen deaths and a total of 38 patients taken to hospitals, emphasizing the severity of the incident. RFI gave two different fatality figures, mentioning five deaths in one part of its report and fourteen in another, and listed 25 injured people as well as a vague more than 30 hospitalised count. Bangladesh Pratidin echoed the higher death toll of fourteen and also cited 38 patients in hospitals. FAZ (German)RFI Chinese (Chinese)Bangladesh Pratidin

Context and impact

High‑rise fires in China have been linked to building standards and labour‑safety management practices. The nationwide inspection order aims to identify unsafe structures and prevent future tragedies, reflecting broader concerns about urban safety in rapidly expanding cities.

What we do not know yet

The exact day and time the fire started remain unclear, with reports differing between a Sunday afternoon and a Monday morning. The final confirmed death toll and the precise number of injured people have not been established.