1 dead, 6 injured in petrochemical plant explosion

One person has been confirmed dead, six are injured and another seven missing after an explosion at a petrochemical company in east China’s Shandong Province Monday morning, according to local authorities.

A liquefied gas tanker exploded at around 1 a.m. Monday, triggering a fire in the loading area of Linyi Jinyu Petrochemical Co. Ltd., which is located in the Lingang Economic Development Zone in the city of Linyi.

According to a press release given by the economic zone, the owner of the company is in police custody.

Firefighters are currently fighting the fire.

Rescue teams have evacuated workers, except for the seven still missing, and continue to monitor poisonous and combustible chemicals stored at the plant.