Blast at chemical intermediates maker in China kills 19 people

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–An explosion took place at Sichuan-based chemical intermediates producer Yibin Hengda Technology in China at around 6:30pm local time on 12 July, leaving 19 people dead and another 12 wounded, local government authorities said on Friday.

“Rescue efforts have ended and the 12 injured are not in life-threatening danger,” a statement from the Yibin government said, adding that investigations into the causes of the accident are underway.

The fire was extinguished by 11:30pm on the same day.

The company, located in an industrial park in Jiang’an county of Yibin city, has a total production capacity of 2,300 tonnes/year, including 300 tonnes/year of benzoic acid and 2,000 tonnes/year of 5-nitroisophthalic acid.

Founded in mid-2015, the company started production just several months ago, Sichuan local media reported.

ICIS attempts to reach company sources for comment have not been successful.

ICN