Fireworks blast toll: 20
Source: Xinhua |
August 18, 2010, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE death toll from Monday's explosion at a fireworks factory in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has climbed to 20, with four missing and another 153 injured, local authorities said yesterday.
The explosion occurred at 9:45am on Monday at the factory in the Wumahe District of Yichun City. It killed 10 of the factory's 51 workers and injured 35, while four are still unaccounted for.
Another eight were killed and 35 injured when the explosion hit the neighboring Taiye Wood Factory.
The blast also killed two pedestrians and injured 83 residents near the factory.
The ensuing fire was largely brought under control on Monday night after a helicopter dumped water on the blaze. As of 2am yesterday, the fire had been largely extinguished but smoke still surrounded the area and 23 small fires still burned within a 309-meter radius of the factory.
The situation remained severe and new accidents might occur, because three timber mills are near the fireworks factory, according to a local official.
The fire spread to a chopstick factory on Monday but was brought under control.
More than 2,000 residents were evacuated after the explosion shattered windows within a 1-kilometer radius of the factory. Iron fences 100 meters from the factory were damaged in the blast.
Witnesses said the shockwave of the explosion was felt up to 5 kilometers away.
More than 1,700 people and 62 fire trucks were dispatched to fight the blaze and search for survivors.
The cause of the accident is under investigation.
The explosion occurred at 9:45am on Monday at the factory in the Wumahe District of Yichun City. It killed 10 of the factory's 51 workers and injured 35, while four are still unaccounted for.
Another eight were killed and 35 injured when the explosion hit the neighboring Taiye Wood Factory.
The blast also killed two pedestrians and injured 83 residents near the factory.
The ensuing fire was largely brought under control on Monday night after a helicopter dumped water on the blaze. As of 2am yesterday, the fire had been largely extinguished but smoke still surrounded the area and 23 small fires still burned within a 309-meter radius of the factory.
The situation remained severe and new accidents might occur, because three timber mills are near the fireworks factory, according to a local official.
The fire spread to a chopstick factory on Monday but was brought under control.
More than 2,000 residents were evacuated after the explosion shattered windows within a 1-kilometer radius of the factory. Iron fences 100 meters from the factory were damaged in the blast.
Witnesses said the shockwave of the explosion was felt up to 5 kilometers away.
More than 1,700 people and 62 fire trucks were dispatched to fight the blaze and search for survivors.
The cause of the accident is under investigation.
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