Huge EXPLOSION at chemical factory in China KILLS 22 and injures many others

The incident took place at 12.41am local time on Wednesday in China’s northern Hebei province. It occurred near, though not at, the Hebei Shenghua Chemical facility. Those injured have been taken to local hospitals for treatment.

Video published by Global Times, an English language newspaper linked to the Chinese state, shows the aftermath of the blast.

The fire has now been contained, and a search operation is underway.

Authorities are looking into the cause of the explosion according to a statement posted online by the local government.

According to preliminary reports 38 trucks and 12 cars were destroyed.

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The video, which appears to be taken from a nearby road, shows much of the surrounding area ablaze.

A separate photo shows a fire engine at the scene of the incident along with a burnt out car.

On Friday an explosion at a factory in China’s northeast on Friday killed two and left 57 injured.

It took place at an industrial machinery producer in Jilin Province.

The blast destroyed 15 houses and damaged another 355. 

According to its official website, the Hebei Shenghua Chemical Industry Co Ltd is “a backbone of enterprise of Zhangjiakou City, and one of the top 500 chemical enterprises in the country”.

In was created in 1970 as the state owned Zhangjiakou Resin Plant, before becoming a private company in 1990.

The site is located in No 10 Shenghua Dongdajie, Zhangjiakou city, Hebei province.