Thread by @DongshengNews

At about 19:49 on November 24, a fire broke out in a high-rise residential building in #Urumqi, killing 10 people and injuring 9 others.

Some people in China have expressed great sorrow and frustration online and in the streets.

Here’s what we know so far. 🧵 1/5

After the fire, there was speculation on social media that blamed the Covid-19 prevention measures for allegedly blocking fire trucks from entering the community and for the building’s locked door, sparking public anger and concern. 2/5

But, the Jixiangyuan community has been designated as a “low-risk community” since November 12, meaning residents are allowed to circulate freely. The residents of the 15th-floor apartment where the fire began, luckily exited the building safely. 3/5

Xinhua informed that fire trucks couldn’t get close enough to the building, because of narrow streets with parked cars & bollards had been installed for the pedestrian crossing — not due to pandemic controls. 4/5

english.news.cn/20221126/d47a0…

The Zero-Covid policy is not responsible for the fire tragedy in Urumqi, but how this national policy is implemented at the local levels remains a massive challenge. It is still unclear if the protests only represent dissatisfaction with the policy or other interests.