A large blast has been reported at another chemical plant in China, this time in Shandong, in China’s eastern province. It’s the second chemical plant explosion in China in under a week after a massive blast rocked the port city of Tianjin.
Huge flames could be seen from the location after the explosion in the city of Zibo. Nine people are reportedly injured.
The People’s Daily, one of China’s state run newspapers, reported that a warehouse at the Runxing chemical-manufacturing plant blew up. As in Tianjin there is a residential neighborhood just under a mile from the plant.
Just last week explosions involving chemicals in the northern city of Tianjin killed more than 121 people. Over 600 were injured and 54 are still missing.
The proximity of chemical and industrial plants to residential areas has become immensely controversial.
The latest fire had been reportedly controlled by late Saturday night.
The explosions at Tianjin and Shandong have taken on a political implication and threaten to outshine China’s commemoration of the 70th anniversary of its triumph over Japan in the Second World War.
The state-owned Beijing Times claimed that the Runxing plant had adiponitrile, a colorless fluid that releases toxic gases when it comes into contact with fire.
According to state media, the powerful explosion smashed windows and its tremor could be felt over a mile away from the scene.
The new blast comes amid a countrywide crackdown on the handling of chemicals and highlights China’s cut-corner attitude towards safety regulations.
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