BEIJING —A powerful explosion caused by a cooking gas incident occurred at a barbecue restaurant in Yinchuan, a city in northwestern China, resulting in the death of 31 individuals and leaving seven others injured.

The explosion took place at approximately 8:40 p.m. on Wednesday, during the pre-celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival, a national holiday known for consuming rice dumplings and participating in boat races.

The restaurant, located on a bustling street in Yinchuan, was severely damaged by the blast. Witnesses reported thick smoke and a strong odor of cooking gas in the vicinity. According to a woman named Chen, who was present nearby, two waiters managed to exit the restaurant after the explosion, but one of them collapsed immediately.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for the comprehensive treatment of the injured and a thorough safety evaluation following the incident. The authorities are now focusing on providing medical care to the victims and investigating the cause of the explosion.

Following the completion of search and rescue operations at the affected restaurant, the Ministry of Emergency Management of China stated on social media that investigators have been dispatched to determine the cause of the explosion. Incidents of this nature are unfortunately common in China, often attributed to factors such as inadequate government oversight, corruption, cost-cutting measures implemented by employers, and insufficient safety training for employees.

Recent incidents include the death of nine individuals in an explosion at a petrochemical plant and a helicopter crash during the May Day holiday. Additionally, in February, a collapse at a large open pit coal mine claimed the lives of 53 miners in Inner Mongolia, leading to numerous arrests. Furthermore, four individuals were detained in November for their involvement in a fire at an industrial trading company in central China, which resulted in the deaths of 38 people.

In response to such incidents, the central government has pledged to implement stronger safety measures. This commitment comes after a devastating explosion in 2015 at a chemical warehouse in Tianjin, where 173 individuals lost their lives, including a significant number of firefighters and police officers. During that incident, several local officials were accused of accepting bribes to overlook safety violations.