At least 5 dead, 6 missing after blast at Chinese chemical plant
Drone video showed smoke emerging from the chemical plant and a second unidentified facility nearby. (Xinhua/AP pic)
BEIJING : An explosion at a chemical plant in the eastern Chinese province of Shandong killed at least five people, with 19 injured and six missing, the state-run Xinhua agency said late today.
The blast occurred a few minutes before noon, shaking part of a chemical plant operated by Shandong Youdao Chemical in the city of Weifang.
Videos circulating on Chinese social media and verified by Reuters showed plumes of orange and black smoke billowing into the sky.
Windows of nearby buildings were ripped from their hinges by the explosion, one of the videos showed.
More than 200 emergency workers responded to the blast, according to a statement issued by China's emergency response authority this afternoon.
Drone video posted by The Beijing News, a government-run publication, showed smoke emerging from the chemical plant and from a second, unidentified facility nearby.
Baidu Maps, a navigation app, shows other manufacturing companies next to Youdao's plant, including a textile company, a machinery company and a firm that makes industrial coating materials.
The Weifang Ecological Environment Bureau dispatched staff to test the site of the blast but said there were no results yet available.
The bureau advised nearby residents to wear face masks in the meantime, Beijing News reported.
Shandong Youdao Chemical is owned by Himile Group, which also owns listed Himile Mechanical, shares of which closed down nearly 3.6% today.
Youdao was established in August 2019 in the Gaomi Renhe chemical park in Weifang, according to the company's website.
The plant covers more than 47 hectares and has more than 300 employees.
The company develops, produces and sells chemical components for use in pesticides and pharmaceuticals.
Blasts at chemical plants in China in recent years have included one in the northwest region of Ningxia in 2024 and another in the southeastern province of Jiangxi in 2023.
Two massive explosions at warehouses containing hazardous and flammable chemicals in the port city of Tianjin in 2015 killed over 170 people and injured 700.
That incident prompted the government to tighten laws covering chemical storage.
An explosion in 2015 at another chemical plant in Shandong killed 13 people.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
No injuries reported in underground gas blast at Bukit Minyak Industrial Area
The site of the underground gas explosion on Lengkok Perindustrian Bukit Minyak 2. (Penang fire and rescue department pic) PETALING JAYA : An underground gas explosion occurred near a sewer line at the Bukit Minyak Industrial Area in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, today. Penang fire and rescue department said an emergency call was received at about 2.45pm. The department said it was a single explosion and that the team was monitoring the air quality at the site at Lengkok Perindustrian Bukit Minyak 2. 'Initial reports confirmed that no victims were involved,' it said in a statement. The operation involved 16 personnel from the Bandar Perda and Sungai Bakap fire stations, including a hazmat team from the Sungai Bakap station. The department later said the hazmat squad reported that a neutral reading was recorded from the sewer fluid, and confirmed there were no other hazards. As the sewer line fell under Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd's jurisdiction, the firm will follow up on the matter.
Malay Mail
9 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Jailed Hong Kong pro-democracy figure Joshua Wong hit with fresh charge over alleged foreign collusion
HONG KONG, June 6 — Hong Kong authorities once again arrested prominent activist Joshua Wong on Friday and charged him with conspiracy to collude with a foreign country under a Beijing-imposed national security law. Wong, 28, was originally set to be released in January 2027 from a 56-month jail sentence he is serving under the same law for conspiracy to commit subversion after he participated in an unofficial primary election. Taken to the West Kowloon magistrates' courts, Wong faced a new charge of conspiracy to collude with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security. The former student pro-democracy activist, who wore a blue shirt and appeared noticeably thinner than before, replied, 'Understand,' when the clerk read out the charge and details of the offence. Wong did not apply for bail, and the case was adjourned to August 8. Before returning to custody, he waved, shrugged, and shook his head in the direction of the public gallery. In a statement, Hong Kong's national security police said they had arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of the offence, as well as for 'dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence'. A charge sheet seen by Reuters accuses Wong of having conspired with exiled activist Nathan Law and others to ask foreign countries, institutions, organizations, or individuals outside China to impose sanctions or blockades. Such actions against Hong Kong or China, along with other hostile activities targeting them, took place in 2020, between July 1 and November 23, it added. The National Security Law, which punishes offences such as acts of subversion, collusion with foreign forces, and terrorism, with terms of up to life in jail, was imposed by Beijing on the former British colony in 2020. The Chinese and Hong Kong governments say the law is necessary to restore stability following anti-government protests in 2019. But some Western governments have criticised it as being used to suppress free speech and dissent. — Reuters
Malay Mail
15 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Chinese tourist drowns while swimming alone at Pulau Perhentian, say Terengganu police
JERTIH, June 6 — A female tourist from China drowned while swimming at Pulau Perhentian here yesterday. Besut district police chief Supt Azamuddin Ahmad @ Abu said the 33-year-old victim was believed to have been swimming alone during the 11 am incident, while her cousin remained on the beach. The incident came to light when the cousin noticed that the victim had not returned to shore after about 30 minutes in the water. 'The cousin began searching for her and was informed by a member of the public that the victim had been found unconscious and floating near a rocky area. She was later confirmed dead,' he said. The body was taken to the Forensic Unit of Besut Hospital for further action. — Bernama
