China explosion: At least six dead and dozens injured after factory blast which triggered earthquake
Nearly 400 rescue workers and 86 fire engines dispatched to scene, authorities say
At least six people are dead following an explosion at a pesticide factory in China so severe it trigged an earthquake.
The blast on Thursday afternoon at Chenjiagang Tianjiayi chemical plant in Yancheng, Jiangsu province, left dozens injured – many by flying debris – and shattered windows of nearby homes and a school.
Residents were helping to take the wounded to hospital, The Yangtse Evening Post reported.
Nearly 400 rescue workers and 86 fire engines were dispatched to the scene, the city government of Yancheng, which lies around 200 miles north of Shanghai, said in a statement. The cause of the blast is under investigation.
According to the South China Morning Post, the China Earthquake Administration reported a magnitude-3.0 earthquake in Jiangsu, likely trigged by the blast.
Fire rages after explosion at chemical factory in Yancheng, China
Show all 10A video posted on state broadcaster CCTV's website shows huge plumes of smoke spewing from a factory building and spreading over the area. Windows and garage doors appear to shatter at the moment of the blast.
A man staying at a hotel about three miles from the explosion said glass in buildings along the entire street shattered, and at least four people in his hotel were wounded. He said a student at a nearby school was also hurt.
Some 31 people had been rescued, CCTV reported.
Additional reporting by AP
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies