According to state-run CCTV, a hospital fire in Beijing, China’s capital, claimed at least 21 lives on Tuesday.
In an effort to escape the fire, which started in what Chinese state media described as the inpatient ward of Changfeng Hospital at around 1 p.m. local time (1 a.m. ET), people are seen in amateur video hanging from the building’s façade.
According to CCTV, 21 persons had sadly passed away as of 6 p.m. local time (6 a.m. EST). 71 other patients had to be evacuated.
This fire has killed more people in Beijing in recent years than the one that claimed 19 lives in a crowded two-story building in Daxing district, a southern suburb of the city, in 2017.
That tragedy prompted authorities to demolish large swathes of buildings deemed illegal or unsafe in the neighborhood and forced thousands of migrant workers out of their homes and businesses.
In videos shared on social media Tuesday, smoke can be seen billowing out of several hospital windows as people attempt to escape the blaze. At least one person appears to use a rope made from bedsheets to descend from a window to a lower level terrace.
Others people are seen either sitting on air conditioning units positioned on the exterior of the building, or trying to use the units to maneuver from one level to the next. One person is seen jumping from one level of the building to the lower terrace.
It is unclear if all those seen outside the building escaped the fire or not.
At least two ladders are seen leaning against the building amid rescue efforts.
Several other clips that showed the exterior of the building and were posted on Weibo have since been removed.
CCTV state media reports that the cause of the fire is under investigation.