E-Paper
Explosion rocks chemical plant in China's eastern Shandong province | On cam
Shandong Youdao Chemical develops, produces and sells technology for pesticides, pharmaceuticals and related fine chemical intermediates.
A huge explosion rocked a chemical plant in China's eastern province of Shandong on Tuesday killed at least five people, state media CCTV reported, as purported visuals on social media showed smoke billowing high overhead.
The incident occurred at the Shandong Youdao Chemical workshop, to which emergency rescue services were rushed, and immediate medical attention was provided, the state broadcaster said. The site is located around 450 kilometres (280 miles) southeast of the capital Beijing.
Six people were reported to be missing and 19 were “lightly injured,” according to state media Xinhua.
Videos circulating on social media platforms thick grey smoke billowing from the impacted area. Photos also showed shattered glass in nearby villages where residents reported vibrations from the explosion.
According to Reuters, Shandong Youdao Chemical develops, produces and sells technology for pesticides, pharmaceuticals and related fine chemical intermediates.
The company is owned by Himile Group, which also owns listed Himile Mechanical. The firm was established in the Gaomi Renhe chemical park in the provincial city of Weifang in 2019. It employs more than 300 people in its facility spread across 47 hectares.
After reports of the blast, shares of Himile Mechanical were down nearly 4% on Tuesday afternoon.
In recent years, there have been explosions at chemical plants in China, including one in the north-west region of Ningxia in 2024 and another in the south-eastern province of Jiangxi in 2023.
