30 people killed in Sichuan forest fire after change in wind creates ‘huge fireball’
- All those reported missing on Sunday while fighting blaze in remote part of country’s southwest confirmed dead
A forest fire in southwest China has killed 30 people who became trapped after a sudden change in wind direction created a “huge fireball”, state media reported on Monday.
The victims - 27 firefighters and three locals - had been reported missing on Sunday as firefighters fought the blaze in a remote, mountainous part of Liangshan prefecture in Sichuan province. Two of the locals are confirmed to be officials from the forestry bureau.
They became trapped after the wind abruptly changed direction, before they lost contact with other rescuers and were engulfed in flames.
The emergency ministry confirmed the following day that it had found the bodies of all 30 missing, China Central Television reported.
The blaze had still not been brought under control on Monday evening, and efforts to tackle the fire continued.
