A major industrial explosion at a state-owned steel plant in northern China has left two people dead and dozens more injured, with several still missing. Chinese police have moved swiftly to detain the facility's management in the wake of the disaster.
Blast Rocks Baotou Factory
The incident occurred at the Baogang United Steel plant in the city of Baotou, Inner Mongolia, at approximately 3 p.m. local time on Sunday. The force of the blast was so significant it caused noticeable tremors in the surrounding area, alarming local residents.
According to officials from Baotou city, the explosion originated from a pressurised storage tank designed to hold steam and high-temperature water. The failure of this critical piece of industrial equipment triggered the catastrophic event.
Rescue Efforts and Mounting Casualties
The human cost of the explosion is severe and still unfolding. Two individuals have been confirmed killed in the blast. A further 84 people have been hospitalised with injuries of varying severity.
Perhaps most worryingly, eight people remain unaccounted for following the explosion. A dedicated rescue team is currently conducting a search operation for the missing individuals, as confirmed by a representative of the Baotou City Information Office during a news conference on Monday morning.
Management Detained as Investigation Begins
In a immediate response to the tragedy, Chinese police have detained those in charge of the steel factory. This action is a common initial step by authorities in China following major industrial accidents, pending a full investigation into the causes.
The plant is operated by Baogang United Steel, a major state-owned company as reported by Chinese state media. The incident casts a spotlight on industrial safety standards within the country's vast manufacturing and heavy industry sectors, which have faced scrutiny over similar accidents in the past.
The coming days will be critical for the rescue operation and for the initiation of a formal probe to determine the exact sequence of failures that led to this fatal explosion.
