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Major explosion in Chinese port city kills at least two people Deaths as major explosion flattens part of Chinese port city
(about 2 hours later)
A factory explosion in a port city south of Shanghai on Sunday killed two people and injured at least 30 others as it knocked down buildings and left streets littered with damaged cars and debris, news reports said. A factory explosion in a port city south of Shanghai on Sunday killed at least two people and injured at least 30 others as it knocked down buildings and left streets littered with damaged cars and debris, news reports said.
The explosion struck a factory in a riverfront neighborhood in Ningbo, one of China’s busiest ports, the official Xinhua News Agency and other outlets reported. A police statement said the cause of the 8.55am blast was under investigation.The explosion struck a factory in a riverfront neighborhood in Ningbo, one of China’s busiest ports, the official Xinhua News Agency and other outlets reported. A police statement said the cause of the 8.55am blast was under investigation.
Television images showed cars twisted and mangled by the force of the explosion, a plume of grey smoke rising in the sky, and debris scattered for dozens of metres around the site of the incident.Television images showed cars twisted and mangled by the force of the explosion, a plume of grey smoke rising in the sky, and debris scattered for dozens of metres around the site of the incident.
Footage showed rescuers wearing helmets carrying injured people away from the area, while others stood over a person lying on the ground.Footage showed rescuers wearing helmets carrying injured people away from the area, while others stood over a person lying on the ground.
According to CCTV, eyewitnesses said there were “a large number of injured people” in the city, one of China’s largest ports, which sits just south of Shanghai.According to CCTV, eyewitnesses said there were “a large number of injured people” in the city, one of China’s largest ports, which sits just south of Shanghai.
At least 30 people were taken to the local hospital and rescue efforts were continuing, the report said.At least 30 people were taken to the local hospital and rescue efforts were continuing, the report said.
The Communist Party’s People’s Daily said on Twitter that no one lived at site of the explosion but garbage collectors might have been working there.The Communist Party’s People’s Daily said on Twitter that no one lived at site of the explosion but garbage collectors might have been working there.
An enquiry has been launched to determine the cause of the explosion, the local police in Jiangbei district, where the blast happened, said on social media.An enquiry has been launched to determine the cause of the explosion, the local police in Jiangbei district, where the blast happened, said on social media.
Industrial accidents are common in China, where safety standards are often lax.Industrial accidents are common in China, where safety standards are often lax.
In 2015, giant blasts killed at least 165 people in the northern port city of Tianjin, causing over $1 billion in damage and sparking widespread anger over a perceived lack of transparency by officials about the accident’s causes and environmental impact.In 2015, giant blasts killed at least 165 people in the northern port city of Tianjin, causing over $1 billion in damage and sparking widespread anger over a perceived lack of transparency by officials about the accident’s causes and environmental impact.
A government inquiry into the Tianjin accident released in February 2016 recommended 123 people be punished.A government inquiry into the Tianjin accident released in February 2016 recommended 123 people be punished.
The official who was mayor at the time of the accident was sentenced to 12 years in prison for graft in September.The official who was mayor at the time of the accident was sentenced to 12 years in prison for graft in September.
Huang Xingguo, 62, had also headed the disaster response committee.Huang Xingguo, 62, had also headed the disaster response committee.
AFP and AP contributed to this reportAFP and AP contributed to this report