North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has set up an investigation team to conduct an in-depth probe into the causes 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, according to a press conference held by the information office of Baotou municipal people's government on Monday morning, per CCTV News.

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

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, causing significant casualties. All injured patients are currently in stable condition, per CCTV News.

After the accident, local authorities established a leading group for medical treatment and promptly launched rescue and treatment efforts for the injured. Among the hospitalized victims, experts from the regional health commission are conducting one-on-one assessments. Five cases have been classified as critical, while the remaining 79 have sustained minor injuries, including head and facial trauma and soft-tissue contusions to the limbs.

Officials attending the briefing said that the autonomous region has set up an investigation team and 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.

According to the Ministry of Emergency Management, after receiving the report of the explosion, the ministry immediately deployed response measures, instructing local authorities to organize search and rescue operations in a scientific manner, further verify personnel information, and prevent secondary accidents. It also called for all-out efforts to treat the injured and minimize casualties, as well as a swift investigation into the cause of the incident to draw lessons and resolutely prevent similar accidents.

A senior official from the ministry has led a task force to the site to guide rescue and emergency response efforts. The Work Safety Commission under the State Council has decided to place the investigation and handling of the accident under special supervision, according to the ministry.