No victims reported after Jiangxi chemical plant blast: Authorities

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
1 Jul 2023 14:30

The local emergency department added that firefighters, law enforcement, and emergency services are working on the site.

Screengrab from a video showing the burning chemical plant in Guixi City, Jiangxi province June 1, 2023 (Social Media)

The Guixi emergency department reported that the staff of the explosion-stricken chemical plant in Jiangxi was safely evacuated.

At 10:30 am the emergency department was informed of the explosion which's cause was reported to be silicon oil catching fire.

A chemical plant in Guixi, East China's Jiangxi Province, exploded on Saturday, according to China Central Television. pic.twitter.com/Ez4oAsB1Cd
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) July 1, 2023

"The whole staff and surrounding buildings have been evacuated, and there are no victims as of now, the cause of fire is being established," the emergency department said in a statement.

The department added that firefighters, law enforcement, and emergency services are working on the site.

Back in June, a gas leak sparked an explosion that tore through a restaurant in the northwest Chinese city of Yinchuan, killing at least 31 people.

The blast took place on the eve of the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday when many in China go out and socialize with friends.

More than a dozen firemen could be seen working at the scene in CCTV footage as smoke streamed out of a big hole in the restaurant's exterior.

The dimly illuminated street, which is also home to a number of other restaurants and entertainment establishments, was covered with glass shards and other debris.

Following the explosion, police detained nine individuals, including the restaurant's "owner, shareholders, and staff," according to CCTV, which also stated that "their assets have been frozen."

"A leak of liquefied petroleum gas... caused an explosion during the operation of a barbecue restaurant," state news agency Xinhua said of the Wednesday evening blast, citing the regional Communist Party committee.

High school students and pensioners were among the dead, and according to The Paper, which cited unnamed authorities participating in the rescue operation, many of the victims suffocated to death after inhaling smoke.