Authorities race to respond to blast at China chemical plant
BEIJING: A large explosion and fire at a chemical plant in China's eastern province of Shandong sent thick plumes of smoke into the sky today, as authorities raced to find the cause.
Authorities did not immediately release information on any casualties.
A local hospital told the Paper, a state-run media outlet, it was treating individuals injured in the explosion, but declined to disclose further details.
More than 200 emergency workers responded to the blast that shook part of a chemical plant operated by Shandong Youdao Chemical in the city of Weifang just before noon.
Videos circulating on Chinese social media platforms including Douyin, 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.
Government officials urged crews to quickly contain the fire and confirm the number of casualties in a statement issued by China's emergency response authority today.
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 show other manufacturing companies next to Youdao's plant, including a textile company, a machinery company and a company 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 per cent 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 (116 acres) 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 Chinese port city of Tianjin in 2015 killed over 170 people and injured 700 more. That incident prompted the government to tighten laws covering chemical storage.
An explosion in 2015 at another chemical plant in Shandong killed 13 people. - REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Engineer loses RM275,000 to online 'Moomoo' investment scam
ALOR SETAR: A 57-year-old engineer lost RM275,000 after falling for an online investment scam known as 'Moomoo', which was advertised on Facebook in April. Kedah Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Supt Loi Yew Lik said the victim responded to an investment offer involving Chinese currency on April 20 by clicking a WhatsApp link, which led him to a group called '6 Investment Securuties Internasional'. He later communicated with several individuals using the numbers 019-2007253 and 019-2345678. "The scammers promised a 10% return within days, prompting the victim to transfer RM275,000 in eight transactions between May 27 and June 13 to two company accounts under the names Cisi Infra Solution and Cisi CPT Infra Trading," he said in a statement on Sunday (June 29). When no profits were received, the victim grew suspicious as the scammers continued requesting more money, claiming it was needed to release his returns and initial capital. He eventually lodged a police report at the Baling District Police Headquarters on Saturday after realising he had been cheated. Loi advised the public to verify any investment offers with the police or nearby stations and to use tools such as the Mule Check app, the CCID Facebook page, or contact the National Scam Response Centre at 997. - Bernama
Barnama
10 hours ago
- Barnama
Engineer Loses RM275,000 To Online 'Moomoo' Investment Scam
ALOR SETAR, June 29 (Bernama) -- A 57-year-old engineer lost RM275,000 after falling for an online investment scam known as 'Moomoo', which was advertised on Facebook in April. Kedah Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Supt Loi Yew Lik said the victim responded to an investment offer involving Chinese currency on April 20 by clicking a WhatsApp link, which led him to a group called '6 Investment Securuties Internasional'. He later communicated with several individuals using the numbers 019-2007253 and 019-2345678.
The Sun
12 hours ago
- The Sun
Czech Intel: China planned to intimidate Taiwan vice-president
PRAGUE: Czech military intelligence has exposed a shocking plot by Chinese diplomats to physically intimidate Taiwan's Vice-President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim during her visit to Prague last year. The revelation came on Friday when Czech intelligence confirmed that Chinese diplomats and secret service agents had systematically followed Hsiao throughout her March 2024 visit, gathering intelligence on her schedule and attempting to document her meetings with Czech officials. What exactly happened? According to Czech Military Intelligence spokesman Jan Pejsek, Chinese operatives violated diplomatic protocols by: Physically tailing the Taiwanese vice-president Collecting detailed information about her itinerary Planning what intelligence called a 'demonstrative kinetic action' - essentially a staged intimidation attempt Czech media previously reported that a Chinese diplomat had run a red light whilst following Hsiao's car. New reports suggest the Chinese had also planned to stage a demonstrative car crash to intimidate her. The diplomatic fallout Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council has strongly condemned what it calls China's 'bad behaviour,' demanding an immediate explanation and public apology. The council stated that Chinese actions 'seriously threatened the personal safety of Vice President Hsiao and her entourage.' China, however, denies any wrongdoing. Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun insisted that 'Chinese diplomats have always abided by the laws and regulations of the countries in which they are stationed.' Beijing also criticised Prague for allowing the visit, claiming the Czech Republic had interfered in China's internal affairs by hosting the Taiwanese official. Why this matters This incident highlights the growing tensions between China and countries that maintain informal relations with Taiwan. Prague doesn't have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan but has fostered increasingly warm relations with the democratically-governed island, which China considers its own territory. Czech-China relations have deteriorated significantly in recent years. Just last month, the Czechs accused China of orchestrating a cyberattack on their foreign ministry. The Czech Foreign Ministry confirmed it had summoned the Chinese ambassador over the incident when it occurred but declined to provide additional comments on Friday. Background context Hsiao, who assumed office alongside President Lai Ching-te in May 2024, represents Taiwan's continued efforts to maintain international relationships despite Beijing's diplomatic pressure. This incident occurred during a period of heightened Czech-Taiwan cooperation, with Czech politicians regularly visiting Taiwan and former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen having visited Prague in October. The exposure of this intimidation plot underscores the lengths to which China will go to pressure Taiwan and its international partners, even on foreign soil.
