Five workers have been dead, one still missing and the number of injured people has amounted to nearly 70. after blasts took place at a workshop of No. 101 Factory of PetroChina Jilin Petrochemical Company at about 3 p.m. on Nov. 13.

Witnesses say heavy smokes could be seen all over the chemical industry zone north Songhuajiang River and windows of the residence buildings 100 to 200 meters away were broken.

Considering the possibility of other blasts and chemical pollution, local police have evacuated as many as 10, 000 residents.

The cause of the blasts has been initially determined: the accident site is a nitration unit for anilin equipment. T-102 tower jammed up but was not handled properly, hence the blasts.

At a news conference on 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 13, the company reported about the rescue work. Now the fires have been brought under control, and all the pipes and equipment have all been isolated.

After the accident, Party secretary of Jinlin Province Wang Yunkun, Jilin Province governor Wang Min rushed to Jilin city to direct the rescue work. Hotels, hostels and commercial enterprises have been mobilized to accommodate displaced residents. Many taxis helped carry the evacuees for free.

By People's Daily Online