Poultry plant fire death toll now at 120, relatives await news of 17 missing

The death toll from the fire that engulfed a poultry plant in Changchun, Jilin Province, on Monday has increased to 120 after the rescue team pulled out another body on Wednesday. The search for those who remain missing is ongoing.

The cause of the fire at Baoyuanfeng Poultry Company in Dehui is so far unknown. The State investigation team has not disclosed any information regarding the cause, which was alleged to be caused by a liquid ammonia leak.

China Central Television reported that 258 of the 395 workers who signed up Monday have survived, with 17 still unaccounted for. Many died struggling to get out of the darkened building with five of the nine doors locked.

Wang Yanhui, director of the Changchun center for disease control and prevention, said the city has done the first round of sanitation at the scene, adding that the efforts would continue for at least three days. Chen Wanfeng, director of the animal husbandry bureau of Dehui, said dead poultry are ready to be disposed of through appropriate treatment.

Only 67 victims were identified as of Wednesday, and related families are taking DNA tests.

Relatives of the missing still camping at the site in the hope of hearing news of their loved ones. "My sister, Yan Feng, is still missing after we canvassed all the hospitals. All we want to know is Feng's whereabouts," said Yan Zhiguo. He worked in the factory's storage workshop and escaped from the fire.

Work groups have been sent to 110 families. Several other family members told the Global Times that they had not started negotiating over the compensation, adding that they need to know the real cause of the fire and see the responsible parties are severely punished.

Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday that a nationwide and thorough inspection on work safety will be held immediately, pledging that unlawful acts must be cracked down on.