UPDATE (February 9, 2017 at 11.27am CST): According to 163.com, only two individuals were hurt in the explosion – both security guards. Their minor wounds were caused by flying shards of glass and both men were taken to hospital.

This was the second explosion at an Anhui chemical plant in the past month, with another blast having occurred on January 24 in Bengbu.

UPDATE (February 9, 2017 at 1.40am CST): Zou He, director of the public security bureau of Tongling, has been quoted on CRIENGLISH.com as stating the blast was the result of “fuel oil burning.” The story also references him claiming no unsafe chemicals were involved.



UPDATE (February 9, 2017 at 1.21am CST): According to reports, the blast was caused by “high-boiling-point solvent cans.”

At roughly 10.45pm on February 8, a massive chemical plant explosion lit up the city of Tongling, Anhui province, according to Southern Metropolis Daily. Four videos of the blast are currently circulating on social media, watch below (VPN off):

According to Tencent News, the explosion lasted roughly 10 seconds. Firefighters have responded to the scene and three people have been hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.

The cause of the blast has not yet been determined.

We will post more updates as we receive them.

[Images via Tencent News]