A powerful explosion at a rare earth steel plate factory operated by Baogang United Steel, Inner Mongolia, has killed six people and left four missing, with authorities launching a high-level investigation amid the company's poor safety record over the past decade.
The blast occurred at 3.03pm on Sunday in a 650 m³ saturated water and steam spherical tank at the plant's steelmaking department. It injured 84 people, with five in serious condition and the rest suffering facial injuries and soft tissue contusions.
The explosion sent white smoke high into the air, with shockwaves shattering windows in 70 to 80 percent of homes in a village three to four kilometers away. Debris fell on a house, causing it to collapse but no further casualties.
The State Council's Work Safety Committee will oversee the case. Notably, Baogang Group held a safety production meeting just two days before the accident, emphasizing hazard investigation and rectification. According to The Paper, safety incidents at Baogang since 2016 have claimed at least 30 lives.
Police have taken action against responsible company personnel. Vice Minister of Emergency Management Song Yuanming is leading a team to guide rescue efforts. Inner Mongolia has set up an investigation group headed by Chairman Bao Gang to determine the cause quickly.
