The information office of Baotou municipal people’s government holds a press conference on January 19, 2026. Photo: CCTV News

China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has set up an accident investigation team to conduct an in-depth probe into the cause of an explosion at a factory in Baotou, which has led to two dead, eight missing and 84 people hospitalized. Public security authorities have also taken legal measures against responsible personnel at the companies involved, according to a press conference to brief the public held by the information office of Baotou municipal people's government on Monday morning, per CCTV News.

According to the briefing, at 3:03 pm on Sunday, a 650-cubic-meter saturated water and steam spherical tank at the steelmaking operations department of the Baogang United Steel in Baotou exploded. As of press time, the blast has resulted in two deaths, eight people missing, and 84 people injured who are receiving hospital treatment.

After the accident, local authorities established a leading group for medical treatment and promptly launched rescue and treatment efforts for the injured. Among the 84 hospitalized victims, one-on-one assessments conducted by an expert team from the regional health commission classified five cases as critical, while the remaining 79 sustained minor injuries, including head and facial trauma and soft-tissue contusions to the limbs. All injured patients are currently in stable condition, per CCTV News.

The briefing said that the autonomous region has set up an accident investigation team to conduct an in-depth probe into the cause of the incident and responsibility. Those found derelict in their duties will be held strictly accountable in accordance with the law and regulations, with no tolerance for negligence, according to CCTV.

Global Times