Death toll rises in Chinese poultry slaughterhouse fire
Firefighters rush to the scene when a poultry slaughterhouse erupts in flames in northeast China.
The death toll from the blaze has now been raised to at least 119.
The President has called for an investigation. Local police say a gas leak may have caused the explosion.
Many were trapped behind locked doors but some managed to escape.
(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) UNIDENTIFIED EMPLOYEE AT SLAUGHTERHOUSE, SAYING:
"It was so fast, we first saw a flash, then a big "bang". We knew it was bad, so then we all ran. We didn't know what happened, we didn't know it was an explosion."
China state broadcaster CCTV shows authorities trying to cope with the disaster.
More than 300 workers were in the plant at the time.Authorities say at least 60 people have been taken to the hospital.
The exact number of people unaccounted is still unclear.
China's record on fire is saftety has come under increased scrutiny. Fire exits in factories are often locked or
The death toll from the blaze has now been raised to at least 119.
The President has called for an investigation. Local police say a gas leak may have caused the explosion.
Many were trapped behind locked doors but some managed to escape.
(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) UNIDENTIFIED EMPLOYEE AT SLAUGHTERHOUSE, SAYING:
"It was so fast, we first saw a flash, then a big "bang". We knew it was bad, so then we all ran. We didn't know what happened, we didn't know it was an explosion."
China state broadcaster CCTV shows authorities trying to cope with the disaster.
More than 300 workers were in the plant at the time.Authorities say at least 60 people have been taken to the hospital.
The exact number of people unaccounted is still unclear.
China's record on fire is saftety has come under increased scrutiny. Fire exits in factories are often locked or