Chemical truck explosion kills 23 in north China

The death toll from a chemical truck explosion in north China's Hebei Province has climbed to 23 after another body was found during the rescue work, local authorities said.

Photo taken on Nov 28, 2018 shows the blast site near Shenghua chemical plant in Zhangjiakou city, North China's Hebei province. [Photo: Xinhua]

A truck carrying combustible chemicals exploded in Qiaodong District in the city of Zhangjiakou at around 0:40 a.m. early Wednesday morning, causing a series of blasts of nearby vehicles.

Another 22 were injured after the blasts, according to the city's fire department.

The Ministry of Emergency Management has sent a work team to the site to guide rescue work, while the local government is verifying the identities of the victims.

The injured have been sent to local hospitals for treatment.

According to a preliminary investigation, the truck carrying acetylene exploded when entering the Haipo'er New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., near Hebei Shenghua Chemical Industry, a big chemical enterprise.

The blast ignited 38 trucks and 12 cars nearby.

The blasts and fire also damaged a high-voltage power line, leading to a power outage at four communication base stations and several companies including Haipo'er New Energy Technology.

Rescue work and further investigation are underway.