Residential Fire in Shantou, China, Claims 12 Lives

Tragedy Strikes Shantou Residential Building

A residential building fire in Shantou City, Guangdong Province, China, on Tuesday night, December 9, 2025, has claimed the lives of 12 people. The blaze erupted in the city's Chaonan District around 9:20 PM local time and was brought under control within approximately 40 minutes by local fire departments.

Incident Details and Response

The fire occurred in a four-story, self-built concrete structure, described by some sources as a 'shop-below, home-above' building. The affected area spanned approximately 150 square meters (1,600 square feet). Initial reports indicated eight fatalities, with four additional victims later succumbing to their injuries in the hospital, bringing the total death toll to 12. Authorities reported that 20 people were trapped in the blaze, with eight individuals rescued.

Ongoing Investigation

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by local authorities. The Guangdong provincial government has established an accident investigation team, comprising departments such as emergency management, fire rescue, public security, and discipline inspection and supervision, to thoroughly examine the incident.

Broader Safety Concerns

This tragic event follows closely on the heels of a major fire in Hong Kong last month, on November 26, which resulted in 159 or 160 fatalities. The Hong Kong incident prompted a nationwide campaign in China aimed at addressing fire hazards and improving safety standards in high-rise and residential buildings across the country. The recurrence of such deadly fires highlights ongoing challenges in fire prevention and building safety within China's residential sector.