Central China Explosion: 15 dead, 15 severely injured by massive blast

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Authorities have ended search and rescue operations after a gas plant explosion in central China's Henan Province. The disaster killed 15 people and caused widespread damage in the city of Yima. CGTN's Zhao Yunfei reports.

An unexpected blast broke the peace in this small city of Yima in Sanmenxia. Smoke poured out of the gas plant after the explosion. A huge shockwave was felt within a three-kilometer radius of the factory, shattering windows and breaking down doors. A 24-hour non-stop rescue ended with 15 people found dead.

MU CHENGLIN GASWORKS STAFF "It was full of smoke after the blast. I couldn't see any thing. So I ran down immediately when I was hit in the chest probably by the shockwave. It really hurts."

CAO SIHUA LOCAL RESIDENT "My children were inside the house when it hit. The door wouldn't open. So the children and grandma came out through the window. They had more than a dozen stitches and they've just finished the CT scan."

Many people were injured and some of them seriously. The closest hospitals were quickly filled to capacity.

LIANG HUI ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, YIMEI HOSPITAL "The workers on site had torn muscles, fractures, and some of them were burned. The surrounding residents were cut by glass debris."

ZHAO YUNFEI YIMA, SANMENXIA, HENAN PROVINCE "We are fairly close to the site where the incident took place. The debris are everywhere on the floor. You can see this was a very powerful explosion."

An investigation is now underway. And local residents are calling for a plan to restore their homes.

LI JIE DEPUTY MAYOR, SANMENXIA "Immediately after the accident happened, street and community workers visited each household to evaluate the damage. Much effort was made to comfort the bereaved families and the injured people."

Local authorities say environmental risks due to the explosion are under control. Zhao Yunfei, CGTN, Yima, Henan Province.