At least five people were killed and 19 injured Tuesday after a powerful explosion ripped through a chemical plant in eastern China’s Shandong province, according to local emergency officials. Six others remain missing.
The blast occurred around noon at Gaomi Youdao Chemical Co. in the city of Weifang. The company produces pesticides and chemicals for medical use and employs over 500 people, according to corporate filings.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the explosion.
The force of the blast shattered windows more than three kilometers away, a resident told local media. State broadcaster CCTV said over 230 emergency responders were deployed to the site.
A student at a nearby school, roughly 900 meters from the plant, reported hearing the explosion and seeing dirt-yellow smoke tinged with red. Students were instructed to wear masks due to a strong odor in the air.
Local environmental officials dispatched a team to monitor for possible contamination, though no results have been released yet.
The incident comes less than two weeks after Beijing urged tighter oversight of hazardous materials at chemical industrial parks. Gaomi Youdao had been cited twice for safety risks in 2024 but was later praised for addressing over 800 hazards that year, according to the city’s emergency management bureau.
Workplace safety remains a challenge in China. In 2024, the government recorded nearly 22,000 workplace incidents and over 19,000 deaths. Previous high-profile disasters include a 2015 blast in Tianjin that killed 173 and a 2019 explosion in Jiangsu that left 78 dead
California lawmakers have fast-tracked a redistricting plan giving Democrats a potential five-seat gain in Congress, with Governor Gavin Newsom signin...
The U.S. National Guard has been deployed across Washington, D.C. following President Trump’s declaration of a public safety emergency, as federal a...
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un praised troops who fought for Russia in Ukraine, calling them "heroic" during a ceremony honoring soldiers of the army...
The U.S. State Department confirmed that all 55 million visa holders are under continuous review, with potential revocations for security or legal vio...
Adidas executives personally visited a small Indigenous town in southern Mexico to apologize for a shoe design criticised as cultural appropriation, p...
China is moving to restrict domestic technology companies from acquiring Nvidia’s H20 artificial intelligence chips thus highlighting the escalating technology rivalry between Beijing and Washington.
The foreign ministers of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan convened in Kabul for their sixth trilateral meeting, pledging to deepen cooperation in trade, transit and security despite ongoing concerns over cross-border militancy.
President Xi Jinping attended events in Lhasa as Tibet marked its 60th anniversary, with authorities outlining progress in economic and social development.
New Zealand’s intelligence agency has warned the country is facing its toughest security challenges in decades, with foreign interference and espionage from states including China, Russia, and Iran.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
Honduras has brought back mask mandates as COVID-19 cases and a new variant surge nationwide.
Kuwait says oil prices will likely stay below $72 per barrel as OPEC monitors global supply trends and U.S. policy signals. The remarks come during market uncertainty fueled by new U.S. tariffs on India and possible sanctions on Russia.
California lawmakers have fast-tracked a redistricting plan giving Democrats a potential five-seat gain in Congress, with Governor Gavin Newsom signing the measure on Thursday to counter Republican efforts in Texas.
The U.S. National Guard has been deployed across Washington, D.C. following President Trump’s declaration of a public safety emergency, as federal authorities continue efforts to reduce crime and secure the capital.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un praised troops who fought for Russia in Ukraine, calling them "heroic" during a ceremony honoring soldiers of the army's overseas operations.
The U.S. State Department confirmed that all 55 million visa holders are under continuous review, with potential revocations for security or legal violations.
Bangladesh and Pakistan have agreed to allow visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and official passports, marking a major step in restoring relations after decades of restrictions.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment