Massive Explosion in Zhangzhou, China Highlights Chemical Plant Risks

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An explosion at a chemical plant Monday night rocked the Chinese city of Zhangzhou. At least six people were injured, according to the Associated Press, in what was the second explosion at the plant in less than two years.

The plant, in the eastern province of Fujian, produces paraxylene, or PX, which is used in plastics manufacturing. A leak at its oil storage facility ignited three storage tanks, causing a fire that burned for hours and a blast that was felt up to 30 miles away, according to the Xinhua news agency.

The blast occurred amid protests against chemical plants in other parts of the country.

In 2007, residents of the coastal city of Xiamen protested the construction of the plant, forcing it to be moved 60 miles inland to Zhangzhou. Protests over the construction of PX plants have escalated into violence in recent years, as residents fear for their own health and for the environment.

Just two days before the explosion, weeks of clashes with police over a chemical plant resulted in the detainment of dozens of protesters in Naiman Banner in Inner Mongolia.

Last April, in the city of Maoming, which has long been home to the chemical industry, several people were injured after police used tear gas and clubs on a crowd protesting construction of a new PX plant, according to reports by the BBC.

Chinese officials have said there's no sign of environmental contamination from Monday's explosion, according to the Associated Press.

Explosion at PX plant in SE China's — China Xinhua News (@XHNews)April 7, 2015

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