China sends 232 rescuers to battle fire after deadly chemical plant blast VIDEO/UPDATED

More than 200 emergency personnel have been deployed in response to a powerful explosion at the Shandong Youdao Chemical plant in the city of Weifang, eastern China.

Authorities are urging rapid firefighting efforts and immediate confirmation of any casualties resulting from the blast.

According to a statement issued by China’s Ministry of Emergency Management and cited by Reuters, 232 emergency workers and 55 ambulances have been dispatched to the scene of the incident. Local government officials are coordinating rescue efforts and assessing the impact of the explosion.

Environmental authorities have also taken swift action. The Weifang Environmental Protection Bureau has sent officers to inspect the site and evaluate potential environmental hazards. In the wake of the blast, nearby residents have been advised to wear masks as a precautionary measure against air contamination.

The explosion at the Shandong Youdao facility is the latest in a series of chemical plant incidents that have occurred in China in recent years. In 2024, a blast struck a facility in the northwestern region of Ningxia, while another explosion occurred in Jiangxi Province in the southeast in 2023.

One of the deadliest chemical-related disasters in China’s recent history occurred in 2015, when twin explosions ripped through warehouses storing hazardous and flammable materials in the port city of Tianjin. That tragedy claimed more than 170 lives and left over 700 people injured. In the aftermath, the Chinese government enacted stricter laws and regulations concerning chemical storage and industrial safety.

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A powerful explosion struck a chemical plant in China’s eastern Shandong province on May 27, triggering a swift emergency response but offering no immediate details on casualties. 

The blast occurred shortly before noon in a workshop operated by Shandong Youdao Chemical, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

While authorities have yet to release official information on the cause or toll of the incident, unverified images circulating on the Chinese social media platform Weibo showed thick plumes of smoke rising above the site and extensive damage in nearby areas. Some users shared photos of shattered windows in surrounding villages and reported feeling strong vibrations from the explosion.

An #explosion occurred at the workshop of a chemical company in the city of Gaomi, east China's #Shandong Province, at noon on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/G63MdTYSmi

— Ifeng News (@IFENG__official) May 27, 2025

Emergency crews were quickly dispatched to the scene to begin rescue and treatment operations, although no further specifics were provided.

Shandong Youdao Chemical is a subsidiary of Himile Group, which also owns the publicly traded company Himile Mechanical. Shares in Himile Mechanical dropped nearly 4% in Tuesday afternoon trading following news of the explosion.

According to the company’s website, Shandong Youdao Chemical was established in August 2019 and is located within the Gaomi Renhe Chemical Park in the city of Weifang. The facility spans more than 700 acres (approximately 47 hectares) and employs over 300 people. The company specializes in the development, production, and sale of advanced technologies used in pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and fine chemical intermediates.

Authorities have not issued any public safety advisories or confirmed whether hazardous materials may have been released as a result of the explosion. Investigations into the cause are expected to follow as rescue operations continue.

 By Tamilla Hasanova