Rescue efforts underway after chemical plant blast in E China kills 47

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At least 47 people were dead, 32 fatally injured and 58 critically injured in an explosion at a chemical plant in Yancheng City, east China's Jiangsu Province.

The explosion occurred at around 2:48 p.m. on Thursday at the Tianjiayi chemical plant in Xiangshui County's Chengjiagang chemical park.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who's on a three-nation European tour, has ordered an all-out rescue for survivors. Xi said local authorities should try to save as many as they can and minimize casualties. Xi also urged authorities to take lessons from the blast to prevent accidents in the future.

A probe team has been set up by China's State Council to investigate the cause of the deadly explosion.The team is headed by vice minister of emergency management Huang Ming.

So far, the firefighter brigade of Jiangsu has mobilized 192 fire trucks with 930 firefighters to join the rescue mission, confirmed the publicity department of Yancheng City at a press conference on Friday.

By 7 a.m., three burning storage tanks and burning points were all put out.

An aerial view of the Xiangshui County's Chengjiagang chemical park after the fire at the Tianjiayi chemical plant was put out in Yancheng City, east China's Jiangsu Province, March 22, 2019. /VCG Photo

Three groups of medical experts are dispatched to help with medical treatment at the explosion site, according to the National Health Commission. And a total of 640 people are receiving medical treatment.

It's reported that Zhang Qinyue, the general manager of the chemical plant's Xiangshui branch, was injured at the incident and is receiving medical treatment. Others related to the explosion are being held by local police.

The chemical plant was established in April 2007, and mainly produces chemical products, including hydroxybenzoic acid and anisole, which are flammable and toxic, according to the press conference.

Wan Pingyu, professor of applied chemistry at Beijing University of Chemical Technology, said that the leak of the toxic chemicals might have affected the surrounding people and environment.

So far, more than 3,000 workers at the plant and nearby factories and around 1,000 residents in nearby villages have been evacuated and relocated to safer places.The schools located near the chemical plant have been suspended, according to the press release.

Firefighters put out the fire at the Tianjiayi chemical plant in Yancheng City, east China's Jiangsu Province, March 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

The explosion had a negative influence on the air quality in the chemical park and its surrounding areas within a 500-meter radius, according to the city's environmental protection authority. But the strong winds are expected to lift the heavy smoke.

A comprehensive environment monitoring has been carried out to closely monitor the air quality and water quality. It's reported that the drinking water has not been affected.

The cause of the explosion is being investigated.

It's reported that the chemical plant had been fined by environment authorities seven times between July 2016 and 2018 as it was thought to violate regulations in relation to air pollution and solid waste management.

In February 2018, the plant was ordered to rectify its 13 hidden safety hazards, including a leaking valve on its storage tank, according to the Beijing News.