Chemical Plant Blast in China Kills at Least Five

At least five people have been confirmed dead and 19 injured following a massive explosion at a chemical plant in Weifang, a city in China’s eastern Shandong province. Six others remain missing, according to reports from state broadcaster CCTV and the Xinhua news agency.

The blast occurred late Tuesday morning at a facility operated by Shandong Youdao Chemical, located within an industrial park that manufactures ingredients used in pesticides and pharmaceuticals.

More than 230 emergency responders were dispatched to contain the blaze and search for survivors. Videos verified by Reuters showed thick plumes of orange and black smoke rising into the sky, and nearby buildings with shattered windows.

Authorities are still assessing the environmental impact. The Weifang Ecological Environment Bureau has advised nearby residents to wear masks as testing continues.

A local resident over 7 kilometers away told the Associated Press that the shockwave from the explosion shook his home.

Drone footage from government-affiliated Beijing News also showed smoke rising from an adjacent facility, though its identity and damage remain unclear.

Shandong Youdao Chemical, established in 2019, employs over 300 workers across its 47-hectare site.

This incident follows a series of deadly industrial accidents in China, including explosions in Ningxia (2024), Jiangxi (2023), and a devastating 2015 blast in Tianjin that killed over 170 people, leading to stricter chemical safety regulations.

Officials have urged emergency crews to speed up containment and determine the full human impact of the explosion.