Death toll in Beijing hospital fire rises to 29

Authorities in Beijing say the death toll in fire that broke out Tuesday afternoon in a hospital has risen to 29, including 26 patients

Police officers and security guards gather outside the barricaded hospital following a fire at a hospital in Beijing

Investigators inspect burnt out corridor following a fire at a hospital in Beijing, Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

The fire at the private Changfeng Hospital forced dozens of people to evacuate and prompted some of those trapped to escape from windows using bedsheets tied together.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Others who died were a nurse, a medical assistant and a family member, said Li Zongrong, deputy head of the Fengtai district.