A devastating fire engulfed a five-story building belonging to a private coal mine company in Lishi District, Lyuliang City, located in north China's Shanxi province on Thursday. The incident, which started around 6:50 am local time on the second floor, resulted in the tragic loss of at least 26 lives, with over 60 individuals sustaining injuries, according to state media reports.

Prompt response and firefighting efforts managed to bring the flames under control, and ongoing rescue operations are underway. The injured have been swiftly transported to a local hospital for treatment. The building, owned by the coal mine company, serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by industrial safety in China. The nation frequently experiences industrial accidents attributed to insufficient safety standards and inadequate enforcement.