Asia

Home page

Asia

Chemical plant blast kills 14 in China

20 November 2011 01:21 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. At least 14 people have been killed and five others injured after a massive explosion struck a chemical plant in China’s eastern province of Shandong, APA reports quoting Press TV.

The blast occurred at around 02:00 p.m. local time (0600 GMT) on Saturday, when workers were maintaining and repairing a condenser at a plant in Xintai city, Xinhua reported.

The factory was described as one producing melamine -- a chemical used in dishware, counter tops, whiteboards, and other products.

Four people died on scene, while 15 others sustained serious wounds.

Ambulances shifted the wounded to a nearby hospital and firefighters were mobilized to the site of the incident.

Ten workers died later in the hospital of their injuries. The remaining five were said to be in a stable condition.

Local safety authorities said that an investigation was underway into the cause of the blast.

Experts have blamed such accidents on the compromising of safety standards in favor of profit.