Forest fire in northern China forces thousands to flee

Beijing: Thousands of people have been evacuated after a forest fire broke out in northern China's Shanxi Province, on Friday, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management.

As of 7 a.m. Saturday, more than 3,800 locals had been evacuated, the ministry said. No casualties were reported.

A total area of 360 hectares had been burnt and over 1,700 firefighters had been dispatched.

A work team sent by the ministry has arrived at the site to help quench the blaze.