A massive explosion occurred at a chemical plant in eastern China on Tuesday, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky, according to state media. No casualties have been confirmed at this stage.
The incident took place at approximately 11:57 am local time (0357 GMT) at the Youdao Chemical facility in Gaomi, a town in Shandong province located about 450 kilometres southeast of Beijing, as reported by the China News agency.
Footage aired by the Beijing News (Xinjingbao) depicted a towering grey smoke column rising from the site, flames engulfing parts of an industrial complex, and the apparent impact of the blast shattering shop windows nearby. Debris was seen scattered across nearby roads, while one car had its windscreen completely smashed.
The country’s Ministry of Emergency Management stated that 232 emergency personnel and 55 vehicles were deployed to the site.
Youdao Chemical is known for producing “low-toxicity” pesticides and employs around 300 staff across a 47-hectare (116-acre) site, according to Chinese media outlet The Paper.
Industrial incidents are not uncommon in China, where enforcement of safety regulations in factories can often be lax. One of the most devastating examples came in 2015, when massive explosions at chemical warehouses in the port city of Tianjin killed more than 170 people and injured hundreds more.
