Print

Mail

wiki links

Trio of explosions claim three lives across China

A trio of explosions at chemical plants and an oil tanker in eastern China yesterday killed at least three people and injured more than a dozen, state media and company officials said.

The deaths occurred at the Fudu Chemical Plant in Jiangsu Province's Linhai Township, Xinhua News Agency reported.

A dozen people were injured and at least four others were still trapped in the debris following the 9am explosion, Xinhua said.

The company is a major producer of fluorochemicals for industry. No details were given on the cause of the accident.

Reached by mobile phone, Fudu General Manager Xue Chunlin said that it was ``not convenient'' for him to comment on the cause of the accident or condition of those injured.

One hour before that blast, an explosion and fire ripped through a plant belonging to the Shanghai Yuanda Peroxide Co, seriously injuring at least four people and throwing up thick smoke across the Baoshan industrial district to the city's north, Xinhua said.

In a later report, Xinhua said the Yuanda explosion had initially been ruled an industrial accident with no sign of foul play.

Shortly before the Yuanda accident, a massive explosion split the hull of an oil tanker sailing down a canal in central Jiangsu's Yizheng district, Xinhua reported.

Two people aboard the boat were reported missing after the blast and feared dead, the report said. Another person was taken to a hospital in critical condition, it said.
This story has been viewed 1378 times.