China chemical plant blast: Death toll rises to 64

World
Europe

An explosion ripped through a chemical plant in an industrial park in Yancheng City, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Thursday afternoon. Here's what we know so far:

- 64 dead, 94 seriously injured

- 26 people have been identified among the dead

- 28 people are still unaccounted for

- One person was rescued alive on Saturday morning

Updated at 10:40 BJT, Saturday

The death toll has risen to 64 after a powerful explosion ripped through a chemical plant in east China's Jiangsu Province on Thursday, authorities said on Saturday.

A total of 94 people sustained severe injuries, including 21 in critical condition.

A man was rescued alive on Saturday morning after being trapped in debris, the rescue department said.

Local authorities have launched DNA examination work and established contact channels for relatives and friends of people still missing.

Updated at 9:50 BJT, Saturday

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres extended his sincere condolences to families of victims of the explosion, his deputy spokesman said Friday.

"The secretary-general expresses his heartfelt sympathies to the people and (the) government of China," he added.

00:44

Updated at 01:12 BJT, Saturday

Thursday's explosion has killed 62 people. Of the 62 people that have been confirmed dead, 26 have been identified while other 36 are not. Twenty-eight people are still missing.

Of the patients treated, 34 were reported in critical conditions and 60 seriously injured. Others had injuries of varying degrees.

Updated at 22:50 BJT, Friday

Chinese State Councilor Wang Yong has led the rescue team at the site of the deadly explosion in Yancheng City, east China's Jiangsu Province, at the same time, he visited the injured people, authorities said.

Updated at 14:15 BJT, Friday

The state council formed an investigation team, led by Vice Minister of Emergency Management Huang Ming, to probe the incident.

Updated at 10:45 BJT, Friday

The blast has left 47 people dead and 90 people injured, authorities said.

Join CGTN's Xu Mengqi for the latest news on the incident.

Updated at 09:15 BJT, Friday

The death toll from the incident has risen to 44, according to the local authorities.

Among the injured, 32 have suffered grave injuries and 58 others were critically injured.

A total of 192 fire engines and 930 firefighters have been dispatched to the scene as the rescue work continues.

The kindergartens and schools affected by the blast have suspended classes until further notice.

China's National Health Commission has sent a group of medical experts to assist in the treatment work.

Updated at 08:00 BJT, Friday

Major flames have been put out and firefighters are handling the minor blaze at the area.

Rescue work is still underway. /CGTN Photo

Updated at 07:00 BJT, Friday

As of 3 a.m. on Friday, the blast has left 12 people dead and 88 people have been rescued.

Rescue work continues.

Updated at 21:25 BJT, Thursday

China's National Health Commission has dispatched medical experts to assist with the rescue efforts.

The first group of 11 experts from Jiangsu Province will arrive at the site on Thursday night, followed by the second group of five experts from Beijing and Shanghai.

Jiangsu Tianyin Chemical Co., Ltd. and its chiefs were previously involved in the criminal environmental pollution case for over 100 tonnes of illegally disposed hazardous waste in 2012.

CGTN Photo

Updated at 20:10 BJT, Thursday

At least six people were killed and 30 others are critically injured as of 19:00 on Thursday, the local government said. Others have sustained minor injuries.

On-site rescue is currently underway and medical teams are working to treat the wounded.

Live: An explosion ripped through a factory in Yancheng City in east China's Jiangsu on Thursday afternoon.

Updated at 19:00 BJT, Thursday

An unknown number of people are injured, according to rescuers.

There are still seven locations on fire at the scene, and some factories nearby have been affected by the explosion.

The local government said the blast happened at about 14:48 following a fire that broke out in a factory that produces pesticides in a chemical industrial park.

Updated at 18:00 BJT

As of 17:00, 31 people have been successfully rescued from the site, and more rescuers from nearby cities are being brought in to help.

It's reported that there are many residential buildings, schools and a kindergarten near the blast site.

Currently, the number of people injured is unknown.

An explosion rips through a factory in Yancheng City in east China's Jiangsu‍ Province on March 21, 2019./ VCG Photo

Update at 17:40 BJT, Thursday

A total of 12 people have been rescued, according to a statement by Jiangsu's fire department.

389 firefighters and 86 fire engines are involved in the rescue work, the statement said.

Update at 17:09 BJT, Thursday

An explosion ripped through a factory in Yancheng City in east China's Jiangsu Province on Thursday afternoon. Whether there are casualties is currently unknown, local authorities said.

According to media reports, the explosion occurred at a Tianjiayi Chemical production facility and the explosive substance was benzene.

The fire was brought under control as of 3:50 p.m on Thursday and a search and rescue operation is underway. The ecological environment department has carried out emergency monitoring work.

Further information on the blast has yet to be released, but videos and photos posted online show thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the site.

694km