The intense blast seized national attention in China and drew controversy when frontline staff blocked local reporters.
AdvertisementA suspected gas leak explosion in a fried chicken store has killed seven people and injured 27 others in Yanjiao, a town just east of Beijing, state media and authorities said on Thursday morning local time.
Another state media reporter, Xu Mengzhe, was seen physically struggling with a group of policemen who surrounded her and two colleagues.
She wore a jacket with a logo for China Media Group, a state-owned broadcasting company.
"They must not control public opinion, simply and crudely obstructing media reporters from performing their duties," the association said.
Persons:
—, VCG, Ng Han Guan, Yang, Xu Mengzhe, Xu, Zhong Ming
Organizations:
Service, Getty Images, Emergency Management Bureau, Business, Authorities, Firefighters, China Media Group, China Journalists Association
Locations:
Yanjiao, China, Beijing