Explosion at Apartment Building in Northeastern China Kills at Least One and Injures 3

Explosion at Apartment Building in Northeastern China Kills at Least One and Injures 3
The aftermath of an explosion at an apartment building in Harbin in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province on May 23, 2024, in a still from video. (UGC via AP)
The Associated Press
5/24/2024
Updated:
5/24/2024
0:00

BEIJING—An explosion at an apartment building in northeastern China killed at least one person and injured three others on Thursday, state media reported.

Parts of the five-story apartment building in Harbin were damaged, with one apartment’s balcony completely blown off, videos on social media showed. Officials told local media that the explosion was likely from a natural gas tank that was left on.

One woman died of her injuries, according to Jimu News, a state-backed media outlet. Three others were taken to a hospital.

The actual number of casualties from such events may be much higher as the Chinese regime routinely suppresses or alters information.

Officials said a family in the apartment did not use their liquid petroleum gas tank properly. The tanks are often used in Chinese homes to supply gas for cooking.

Videos online showed at least one person being taken by first responders into an ambulance and the street covered in debris.

The explosion occurred at roughly 7 a.m.. Harbin is the capital of China’s northeastern Heilongjiang province.