At least five people have been killed and 19 injured in an explosion at a chemical plant in Shandong province.

Authorities also said six people were unaccounted for.

The blast happened shortly before noon on Tuesday at the Gaomi Youdao Chemical Co., which is located in an industrial park in the city of Weifang.

Upon receiving a report of the blast, the Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched a work team and specialised personnel, including firefighters, medical experts and work safety specialists, to aid local rescue efforts.

Youdao was set up in August 2019 in the Gaomi Renhe chemical park in the provincial city of Weifang, its website says, with more than 300 employees.

It develops, produces and sells technology for pesticides, pharmaceuticals and related fine chemical intermediates. (Agencies)

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Last updated: 2025-05-27 HKT 21:35