4 firefighters from Linyi killed in SW China’s forest fire

Linyi, April 3 (Linyi China) -- A fire that killed 30 people and engulfed about 15 hectares of forest in southwest China's Sichuan Province was finally contained on April 2. Thirty people including 27 firefighters and three locals lost their lives while fighting the fire, among whom 4 from Linyi City, east China’s Shandong Province.

Here are informations of the 4 firefighters from Linyi who lost lives in fighting the devastating fire:

Kang Rongzhen, born in March, 1999 in Pingyi County, Linyi City, east China’s Shandong Province.

Zhang Shuai, born in June, 1999 in High-tech Development Zone, Linyi City, east China’s Shandong Province.

Zhao Yongyi, born in December, 1999 in Luozhuang District, Linyi City, east China’s Shandong Province.

Xu Penglong, born in March, 2000 in Feixian County, Linyi City, east China’s Shandong Province.

According to local authorities, the final efforts to extinguish the forest fire have been launched this morning. Firefighters, aided by helicopters, are still searching the affected area to make sure the fire does not restart. Identification of the bodies is underway. The first 23 bodies have been transported to a funeral home in the city of Xichang, Sichuan.

All the 4 firefighters killed by the devastating fire are young soldiers recruited in September, 2017. They are sons, brothers and students of Yimeng people.

Yimeng people, the indigenous residents living in Linyi, are distinguished for their loyal supporting for the army. As one of China’s four revolutionary bases, Linyi provided over 200,000 soldiers from its total population of 4 million during the war age in the mid-twentieth century.

Official data issued by departments concerned shows every year Linyi provides one ninth of Shandong’s newly enrolled soldiers, and one out of every ninety military personnel on active service in China is from Linyi. The fine tradition of great sacrifice and supporting army making Linyi listed in main cities providing main source of People's Liberation Army of China.

Editor：梁子硕