SHANGHAI, CHINA-A sudden fire at a 28-story apartment complex here Tuesday has killed at least 53 people and injured more than 70, according to reports and a statement by the Shanghai Municipal Government. Mostly retired teachers and their families lived in the 10-year-old building.

With government officials saying the tragedy is the worst in recent years, the fire department had difficulty putting out the flames because crews couldn’t get water to the top floors, according to the officials. Residents were also trying to escape at the top of the building, but rescue helicopters could not land through the smoke and flames, the officials said.

Most of the survivors suffered smoke inhalation. It took four hours for the fire department to put out the blaze. It’s not officially clear what started the blaze. A full investigation will be launched, the Shanghai government officials said in a statement. Xinhua, the Chinese news agency, has listed the cause as unlicensed welders working on a scaffolding for a renovation project at the building. See that story here.

It was a deadly day for apartment dwellers in Asia; as at least 60 people were killed in a four-story apartment complex in New Delhi, India, according to reports by the New York Times. See more of their story on this tragedy here.

Instant Insights /

Dozens Die in China, India Apt Tragedies

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