Black smoke fills sky after blast at China chemical plant, sparks poisonous fuel fears

A big explosion at a chemical plant in China’s jap province of Shandong despatched thick plumes of smoke into the sky on Tuesday, state media reported, with out giving particulars on casualties.

More than 200 emergency employees responded to the blast that shook a workshop of Shandong Youdao Chemical within the metropolis of Weifeng simply earlier than midday, sparking discussions on Chinese social media over the risks of poisonous fuel publicity. Government officers urged emergency crews to rapidly comprise a fireplace on the facility and make sure the variety of casualties.

State-backed Beijing News launched footage of home windows being ripped from their hinges by the explosion, whereas The Paper, one other state-run outlet, reported that some residents’ belongings had been blown out onto the road.

Fifty-five emergency autos and 232 first responders had been dispatched to the scene, the nationwide Ministry of Emergency Management mentioned in an announcement.

The Weifeng Ecological Environment Bureau has dispatched workers to the check the positioning of the blast and suggested close by residents to put on face masks within the meantime, Beijing News reported.

Shandong Youdao Chemical is owned by Himile Group, which additionally owns listed Himile Mechanical 002595.SZ, shares of which have been down almost 4% on Tuesday afternoon.

Youdao was arrange in August 2019 within the Gaomi Renhe chemical park in Weifang, its web site says, and covers greater than 47 hectares (116 acres), with greater than 300 workers.

The agency develops, produces and sells expertise for pesticides, prescription drugs and associated chemical intermediates.

Blasts at chemical vegetation in China lately have included one within the northwest area of Ningxia in 2024 and one other within the southeastern province of Jiangxi in 2023.

Two large explosions at warehouses containing hazardous and flammable chemical compounds within the Chinese port metropolis of Tianjin in 2015 killed over 170 individuals and injured 700 extra, prompting the federal government to move new legal guidelines protecting chemical storage.