MOSCOW (Sputnik) – A blast was reported Monday evening in the southeastern Chinese city of Zhangzhou, in the Fujian province, local media said.
A massive blaze could be seen at the site of the paraxylene plant, which deals with mildly toxic chemicals, with fire plumes rising high above the crippled building.
People in a nearby Xingzai village told reporters the explosion was so powerful it knocked off rooftops, the local XHBY television network said. Several villagers were reportedly injured. No casualties were reported.
About 80 vehicles and 430 rescuers arrived at the sight of the explosion, according to local media.
The factory was built in 2009 amid massive protests over its potential effect on the environment. Safety concerns renewed after a blast hit the plant in July 2013 as the result of hydrogen pipe rupture.
