A powerful explosion has occurred at a chemical plant in eastern China, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky, according to Chinese state media.
The blast happened around midday in the city of Weifang, as reported by state broadcaster CCTV.
Footage released by state-backed Beijing News showed the force of the explosion ripping windows from their frames, while The Paper, another state-run outlet, reported that some residents’ belongings were blown out of their homes and onto the streets.
Emergency response teams have been deployed to the site, though authorities have not yet confirmed whether there have been any injuries or fatalities.
China’s Ministry of Emergency Management stated that 230 firefighters and 55 emergency vehicles were dispatched to manage the incident.
This latest explosion adds to a series of chemical plant disasters in recent years, including a 2024 blast in Ningxia and a 2023 incident in Jiangxi.
One of the deadliest incidents occurred in 2015, when twin blasts at a warehouse storing hazardous materials in Tianjin killed more than 170 people and injured around 700. That disaster led to tighter regulations on the storage of chemicals across the country.
