Four children were killed in a fire that broke out inside a residential apartment in the Chinese Buildings complex in the eastern Libyan city of Al-Bayda, local authorities said.
Khaled Salem, head of Al-Bayda Municipal Council, confirmed the incident in a statement to local media, saying the fire erupted late on Sunday night and prompted an immediate response from emergency services and security authorities.
Salem said the children’s parents were rushed to hospital to receive medical treatment. He added that the mother remains in a critical condition, while the father’s condition has been described as stable.
According to preliminary information, the blaze is believed to have started as a result of a malfunction in an electricity generator inside the apartment. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances of the fire and to establish whether safety standards were observed.
The Chinese Buildings area in Al-Bayda consists of densely populated residential blocks, raising concerns over fire safety measures and the use of private generators amid frequent electricity outages.
Authorities said specialised teams have begun collecting evidence at the scene, while forensic and technical experts are expected to submit a detailed report once investigations are completed. No arrests or formal accusations have been announced so far.
The tragedy has sparked widespread grief among residents of Al-Bayda, with social media users expressing condolences to the victims’ family and calling for stricter oversight of electrical installations in residential buildings.
Municipal officials stressed the need to raise public awareness about fire prevention and to ensure regular inspection of generators and electrical systems, particularly in apartment complexes housing families and children.
Libya continues to face challenges related to ageing infrastructure, unreliable electricity supply and limited safety enforcement, factors that have contributed to similar incidents in recent years.
Local authorities said they will continue to follow up on the case and take any necessary measures once the investigation concludes, while urging citizens to report potential safety hazards to prevent further tragedies.
