5 dead and 6 missing after chemical plant blast in Chinese province of Shandong
The explosion at a site in Gaomi city left a further 19 people injured, creating a giant fireball and blowing in windows
An explosion at a chemical plant in Shandong province in eastern China on Tuesday has killed five people with a further six still missing, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
The explosion, which occurred at a site owned by Shandong Youdao Chemical in Gaomi city just before noon, also left 19 people injured.
The local emergency management bureau said on-site search and rescue operations and clean-up work had continued into the night.
The cause is yet to be determined.
The accident created a large fireball and sent clouds of smoke hundreds of metres into the air. Residents reported hearing a loud bang and said the blast had shattered the windows of many houses.
Thepaper.cn spoke to one local resident who said his house had been “shaken” by the blast.