One dead, nine injured in China fertilizer plant explosion

SHANGHAI (ICIS news)--One worker was killed and at least nine people were injured in an explosion in a synthesis ammonia workshop at a fertilizer plant in China's central Hubei province, a local government official said on Tuesday.

The accident took place at the Ruixin Fertilizer Plant on Monday when workers failed to close the valve of a circulator. The high-pressure gas rushed out and caused the blast, the official said.

"One worker died instantly, while others were wounded when they escaped from the accident site," the official told ICIS news.

Two of the injured were in a serious condition, the official added.

The fire caused by the blast was put out quickly, the official said, adding that a detailed investigation was under way.

The company was ordered to shut down the plant to improve upon its safety and security aspects, the official added.

Ruixin Fertilizer Plant is a local private fertilizer company, which has a capacity of 30,000 tonnes/year of ammonium hydrogen carbonate, according to reports from local news media.