Beijing: At least five people were killed and six reported missing following a major explosion on Tuesday at the Shandong Youdao Chemical plant in Gaomi, eastern China. The blast also injured 19 people and triggered a fireball visible for miles, according to state media.

The incident occurred around noon at the facility’s workshop, which belongs to the state-owned chemical giant and is the world’s leading producer of chlorpyrifos, a widely used pesticide. The plant, operational since 2019, employs more than 300 workers and produces approximately 11,000 tonnes of pesticide annually.

Footage shared on Chinese social media showed a massive mushroom cloud rising over the factory. Local residents described the shockwave from the blast as strong enough to shatter windows nearby.

Rescue efforts are underway, with 232 firefighters deployed to the scene. The Ministry of Emergency Management has also dispatched medical personnel, fire crews, and workplace safety experts to assist. A joint rescue command centre has been established to oversee the response, prioritising the search for missing persons, medical care for the injured, and environmental safety.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the explosion. Cleanup and search operations remain ongoing.
(With AP inputs)