Xinhua reports on an explosion at a pesticide factory in Shandong:
An explosion caused by careless handling of chemicals ripped through a pesticide factory in east China’s Shandong Province Wednesday, raising pollution fears that resulted in authorities evacuating 8,000 residents from nearby villages.
The explosion occurred in the factory of Shandong Yanggu Zhongshi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. at 5:40 am.
One person broke his leg while six others suffered slight injuries in the blast, said Zhou Qing, head of the emergency response office of Yanggu County, Liaocheng City.
About 30 workers on the assembly line fled after smelling something unusual, Zhou said.
