At least 5 dead, 19 injured after massive chemical plant explosion in eastern China

BEIJING — A devastating explosion tore through a chemical plant in China’s Shandong province around noon Tuesday, leaving at least five people dead and 19 injured, state media reported. Authorities are still searching for six others who remain missing.

The blast occurred at Gaomi Youdao Chemical Co., a pesticide and medical chemical manufacturer located in an industrial park in the city of Weifang. The company employs more than 500 people, according to official records.

The explosion was so powerful that it shattered windows at a storage warehouse over two miles away. A local resident, who preferred to stay anonymous fearing repercussions, shared a video showing the aftermath. He described how his home shook violently from the blast, and when he looked outside, he saw a towering column of smoke rising from the site—even from more than seven kilometers (4.3 miles) away.

Firefighters responded swiftly, dispatching over 230 personnel to control the situation and search for survivors.

As rescue efforts continue, the full extent of the damage and the cause of the explosion remain under investigation.