Beijing: In connection with a restaurant explosion that left dozens dead, Chinese police detained four people on Saturday, according to state media.
A gas explosion that occurred Wednesday in the northwest Chinese city of Yinchuan left at least 31 people dead and seven others hurt.
The incident took place the night before the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday, when many people in China go out and socialise with friends.
According to state news agency Xinhua, the suspects included the restaurant's owner, two shareholders, and the manager.
They were detained on suspicion of "causing a serious accident through negligence" and a criminal investigation was ongoing, according to Xinhua.
It also stated that nine people, including the four arrested, had their assets frozen by the local public security bureau.
President Xi Jinping of China "demanded all-out efforts in treating the wounded and the strengthening of safety supervision and management in key industries and fields to effectively protect people's lives and property," according to Xinhua on Thursday.
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In China, where building codes are frequently laxly enforced and widespread unauthorised construction can make it difficult for people to escape burning structures, explosions and other deadly incidents are relatively common.
According to statements made at the time by local authorities, a restaurant fire in the northeastern city of Changchun in September 2022 resulted in at least 17 fatalities.
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A building in the city of Chongqing was brought down by an explosion caused by a rumoured gas leak in January of that year, killing over a dozen people.
In addition, 25 people perished in a gas explosion that struck a busy two-story building full of shoppers as well as a residential compound in Shiyan, Hubei province, in June 2021.
