Zhangzhou chemical plant blast highlights safety fears
Explosion during testing comes on same day party paper played down dangers of industry
A paraxylene (PX) plant exploded in Fujian province yesterday - just as the Communist Party's main mouthpiece was publishing an article highlighting the industry's safety record.
Although the blast in Zhangzhou had no reported casualties or toxic leaks, it is likely to renew safety and environmental concerns over the country's PX plants. Such facilities have been a growing target of protests, despite the state media's efforts to reassure the public.
The 4.30am explosion occurred after hydrogen leaked from a pipeline's welding seam during a pressure test at the plant, which is owned by Dragon Aromatics (Zhangzhou), the city government said.
Local media reported that the 13.8 billion yuan (HK$17.3 billion) project began trial production of PX last month. The plant is projected to make 800,000 tonnes of the chemical, which is commonly used for making polyester.
The government said the leaky pipeline was not yet in use and had been successfully tested with nitrogen last week.
A Xingzai village resident, who lives less than one kilometre from the plant, said the concussive force of the explosion shattered windows and cracked walls and ceilings at her newly built home.
