In a devastating incident in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on January 24, a series of explosions rocked the Dunjingarav Shopping Center, claiming the lives of at least three people and leaving 10 others injured. According to reports from CGTN, the tragedy unfolded in the early hours of the morning. The catastrophe was triggered by a traffic accident involving a vehicle carrying a staggering 60 tons of gas, resulting in a massive explosion that set nearby buildings ablaze.
Local authorities swiftly responded to the scene following the initial reports, with the Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) issuing a statement on Facebook. The agency revealed that the distress call came in at 1 am local time, reporting a car carrying 60 tons of gas had exploded due to a traffic accident at the 26th khoroo of Dunjingarav junction. Multiple firefighting and rescue crews, including units 10, 14, 18, 26, 35, 63, were immediately dispatched to address the emergency.
Varios fallecidos tras la explosión de un camión cisterna cerca de un centro comercial en Ulán Bator, Mongolia.pic.twitter.com/JKVj3U9kko
— ULTIMA HORA EN 𝕏 (@ultimahoraenx) January 24, 2024
The Mongolian authorities disclosed that the fire was successfully extinguished, and those affected by the blaze were promptly transferred to a nearby hospital. The incident occurred at the Bayanzurkh district’s 26th khoroo, near the “Great Mongol” and “Dunjingarav” shopping centers, where a collision between a liquefied natural gas-carrying vehicle and a passenger car led to the outbreak of fire.
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The NEMA’s Facebook statement continued to detail the coordinated efforts to contain the situation. The operation involved extinguishing flames from large vehicles and sedans carrying liquefied natural gas, preventing further spread to nearby structures like the “Edu Apartment” building, the “Global International School,” and the “Sunny Town” apartment building. The spread was successfully halted at 2:15 and completely extinguished by 4:30.
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With over 600 rescue workers on site, including officers from the police, hospital staff, and administrators from Ulaanbaatar Railway and Water Channel Administration, a comprehensive rescue operation was conducted in the affected area. Tragically, the NEMA reported that at least three individuals lost their lives, and 10 sustained injuries. Additionally, over 30 cars were consumed by the flames during the accident.
In a somber note, the NEMA mentioned the sacrifice made by emergency responders, stating that three officers from the 63rd Firefighting and Rescue Unit of the Ministry of Emergency Situations lost their lives while courageously fulfilling their duty. The community now grapples with the aftermath of this tragic incident, mourning the lives lost and supporting those affected by the unforeseen disaster.
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