China rocked by 3rd major explosion in a month

Another huge blast at a chemical facility has reportedly occurred in the Chinese province of Shandong.

The explosion, located in an industrial zone in Lijin, Dongying City, happened late on Monday, China‘s People’s Daily reported.

The blast was so massive it could be seen and heard from a great distance. A chemical factory is believed to have been in the area. According to People’s Daily, the blast happened at around 11:30pm local time (3:30pm GMT).

No immediate reports of casualties or damages were available.

Breaking: A blast seen and heard in a chemical industry zone in Lijin, Dongying City of Shandong around 23:25 Mon. pic.twitter.com/Yi29nJXEuX

— People's Daily,China (@PDChina) August 31, 2015

The plant in Shandong province which caught fire on August 22 produced hundreds of thousands of tons of adiponitrile – a toxic colorless liquid which releases poisonous gases when it reacts with fire, local media reported.

China has been hit by a wave of massive blasts at its chemical facilities this month. Earlier in August, nearly 160 people were killed and around 700 injured in explosions at a warehouse storing hazardous chemicals in Tianjin port.

Fifteen people still remain missing following the tragedy, authorities said on Monday. Cleanup crews are still struggling with cyanide contamination in the area.

SOURCE