Huge explosion rocks chemical plant in China - 5 dead and dozens injured

A huge explosion has ripped through a chemical plant in China, killing five and injuring dozens. The Shandong Youdao Chemical is located the city of Weifang in Shandong province and manufactures components for use in pesticides and pharmaceuticals.

The explosion happened late on Tuesday morning and sent a massive ball of flames billowing skywards. At least five people have been killed, with 19 others injured and six still missing, according to local officials.

Video footage showed windows ripped off from their hinges in neighbouring buildings by the force of the explosion.

A local resident told the The Associated Press news agency that his home - located than 7km (4.3 miles) from the plant - shook from the impact of the explosion.

Emergency Services sent more than 230 firefighters and 55 vehicles to the scene to try and bring the blaze caused by the explosion under control.

Drone video posted by The Beijing News showed smoke pouring from a second, unidentified nearby building.

The Weifang Ecological Environment Bureau has dispatched staff to test the site of the blast and advised nearby residents to wear face masks in the meantime.

Youdao was set up in August 2019 in the Gaomi Renhe chemical park in Weifang and covers more than 47 hectares (116 acres), with more than 300 employees - according to the company's website.

There have been several major explosions at Chinese chemical plants in recent years, suggesting an underlying problem with saftey procedures and standards.

A major incident occurred in the northwest region of Ningxia in 2024 and another in the southeastern province of Jiangxi in 2023.

Two massive explosions at warehouses containing hazardous and flammable chemicals in the port city of Tianjin in 2015 killed more than 170 people and injured 700.

The incident prompted the government to tighten laws covering chemical storage. Another explosion in 2015 at a chemical plant in Shandong killed 13 people.