A blazing fire at a private hospital in Beijing, China claimed the lives of 29 people on Wednesday.
The deaths were confirmed after the victims were taken to another unidentified hospital for emergency treatment.
According to state media, the devastating fire at Changfeng Hospital is among the deadliest in recent years.
A preliminary investigation has showed that sparks generated during the renovation of the healthcare facility had ignited paint stored on site.
Footage on social media showed frightened patients jumping out of the windows to flee as a dense smoke billowed out of the building. Some were seen balancing on external air conditioning units as they waited to be rescued.
A talking drone was dispatched to the building to urge trapped patients to stay calm and wait for help.
Li Zongrong, deputy mayor of Beijing’s western Fengtai district, where the hospital is located, sent his condolences during a media briefing where he announced the death toll.
Local media reported that firefighters evacuated about 70 people and put out the flames within an hour of arriving.
Sun Haitao from Beijing’s public security bureau said 12 people have since been detained for questioning. Among the detainees is the director and deputy director of the hospital, as well as the head of a company overseeing the renovations.
Beijing Party secretary Yin Li said: “We promise to quickly identify the cause of the accident and hold the relevant responsible persons accountable.”
