8 dead, 9 injured in petrochemical plant explosion

Photo taken on June 5, 2017 shows the street scene nearby an explosion site in the Linyi Lingang Economic Development Zone, east China's Shandong Province. An explosion hit a petrochemical firm in Shandong Province Monday morning, casualties unknown, according to local authorities. [Photo: Xinhua]

Eight person have been confirmed dead while nine were injured as of noon following an explosion at a petrochemical company in east China's Shandong Province Monday morning.

A liquefied gas tanker exploded at around 1 a.m. Monday, triggering a fire in the loading area of Linyi Jinyu Petrochemical Co. Ltd., located in the Lingang Economic Development Area in the city of Linyi, according to the emergency rescue headquarters.

As of Monday noon, several liquid gas storage tanks and isooctane storage tanks in the plant had caught fire, said a statement released on the website of the economic development area.

Rescue teams are fighting the fire and spraying surrounding storage tanks with water to cool them, it said.

Photo taken on June 5, 2017 shows the street scene nearby an explosion site in the Linyi Lingang Economic Development Zone, east China's Shandong Province. An explosion hit a petrochemical firm in Shandong Province Monday morning, casualties unknown, according to local authorities. [Photo: Xinhua]

The city's party secretary and mayor have arrived at the site and set up emergency rescue headquarters, the statement said.

The injured are being treated in a local hospital. The owner of the company is in police custody.

More than 900 firefighters and over 170 fire engines were working to extinguish the flames, according to the fire department of Shandong.

People in nearby villages and plants have been evacuated.