Thousands Evacuated After China Chemical Blast

Thousands Evacuated After China Chemical Blast
Reuters
11/13/2005
Updated:
11/13/2005

BEIJING – Explosions at a chemical plant in the northeastern city of Jilin injured more than 30 people on Sunday and forced the evacuation of more than 10,000 residents, Chinese state media reported.

State television showed billowing clouds of black smoke enveloping the city of 1.25 million.

Two people were taken to hospital after breathing chemical fumes, while about 30 other workers were slightly injured.

It took nearly 300 firefighters to bring the blaze under control, television said. The cause of the accident was under investigation.