A massive explosion struck a chemical plant in China’s eastern Shandong province on Tuesday, killing at least five people and leaving six others missing, state media reported. The blast occurred at the Shandong Youdao Chemical workshop, prompting immediate emergency response and medical aid, according to the state broadcaster CCTV.
The plant, located approximately 450 kilometers southeast of Beijing in the Gaomi Renhe chemical park in Weifang city, saw thick grey smoke billowing high into the sky, as captured in videos circulating widely on social media. Nearby villages reported feeling vibrations from the explosion, with shattered glass seen in several homes.
Xinhua news agency confirmed that 19 people suffered light injuries from the incident. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities continue to search for the missing workers.
Shandong Youdao Chemical specializes in developing, producing, and selling technology related to pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and fine chemical intermediates. The company, which employs over 300 staff across its 47-hectare facility, is owned by Himile Group, which also owns the publicly listed Himile Mechanical.
Following the explosion, shares of Himile Mechanical fell nearly 4% on Tuesday afternoon amid investor concerns.
This incident adds to a series of chemical plant accidents in China in recent years, including explosions in the Ningxia region in 2024 and Jiangxi province in 2023, raising ongoing safety concerns in the country’s industrial sector.
Authorities have launched investigations to determine the cause of the blast and ensure safety measures are reinforced to prevent similar disasters in the future.
Sources By Agencies
