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Devastation at blast site after China chemical plant explosion leaves at least 64 dead, 640 injured

  • Executives in custody after explosion at Jiangsu Tianjiayi Chemical plant on Thursday leaves 34 people in critical condition and 60 seriously injured
  • Plant is flattened and 16 neighbouring factories are damaged, while nearly 3,000 people are evacuated

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A crater and clouds of smoke dominate the scene after the explosion at Jiangsu Tianjiayi Chemical plant. Photo: Handout
Sidney Lengin Hong KongandZhuang Pinghuiin Beijing
Executives of a chemical plant in China’s Jiangsu province have been taken into police custody after an explosion on Thursday killed at least 64 people, injured 640 others and polluted areas several kilometres away.
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Cao Lubao, mayor of Yancheng, where the blast occurred, said on Friday that nearly 3,000 people – employees of nearby plants and residents – had been evacuated after the explosion at the Jiangsu Tianjiayi Chemical plant in the township of Chenjiagang, which left a giant crater.

Schools and kindergartens had been closed while the authorities monitored air and water quality, Cao said.

President Xi Jinping, who is visiting Italy, said no effort should be spared to rescue trapped people and treat the injured. He also demanded that all levels of government strengthen inspection procedures.

Thirty-four people were in a critical condition and 60 were seriously injured, while 28 were still missing as of late Friday. The Ministry of Emergency Management said 88 people were rescued from the scene.

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