Move FM Global News

BEIJING, China: Six people are still missing and rescue teams continued their search on May 28 after a powerful explosion at a chemical plant in eastern China. The blast killed at least five people and injured 19 others.

The explosion happened on May 27 at an industrial park in Weifang, a city in Shandong province. It shook nearby buildings, broke windows, and sent thick white smoke into the sky, as seen in videos shared on social media. The cause of the explosion is still unknown.

Zhang Liyou, who owns a restaurant about 0.6 miles from the blast site, was serving lunch when the explosion occurred. It broke his windows and caused part of the ceiling to fall, but thankfully, no one in the restaurant was hurt, he told The Associated Press.

The explosion took place at a plant owned by Gaomi Youdao Chemical Co., which makes pesticides and medical-use chemicals. According to business records, the company has over 500 employees.

More than 230 firefighters were sent to the scene, according to China’s state broadcaster, CCTV.

Another restaurant owner, located more than 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) away, said the blast felt like a small earthquake. Her restaurant’s double-glazed windows cracked, but there was no severe damage. She gave only her last name, Zhang.

A student at a nearby school, about 1 kilometer away, told a state-run news site, The Paper, that he heard a loud bang and saw yellowish-red smoke coming from the plant. He said there was a strange smell, and the school quickly gave all students masks and told them not to take them off.

A local environmental official said a team was sent to check for pollution, but they had not yet reported back.

The explosion came less than two weeks after China’s Ministry of Emergency Management held a workshop on chemical safety. The central government had urged chemical plants to improve their handling of hazardous materials.

Last year, the same chemical plant was found to have safety issues at least twice. However, in September, the Weifang Emergency Management Bureau praised the company for fixing over 800 safety hazards earlier in the year with the help of Communist Party members.

Workplace safety in China has gotten better in recent years, but accidents still happen. In 2024 alone, over 21,000 incidents caused nearly 20,000 deaths.