China pipeline blast toll rises to 13: state media

More than 300 others were injured in the blast on Wednesday, which occurred on the grounds of an abandoned plastics factory in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province, as workers were demolishing the facility.

It was apparently triggered when a motorist started a car engine near a leaking ethylene pipeline, igniting fumes in the air, according to the government.

The powerful blast leveled or heavily damaged buildings within 100 meters (yards) and blew out windows or caused other damage to businesses and residences up to 300 meters away.

People more than two kilometers (1.2 miles) away evacuated their buildings, thinking an earthquake had struck, reports said.

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email