BEIJING (AP) — A chemical explosion in eastern China killed 18 people and injured 10 others on Wednesday, state media reported.
The blast occurred about 4 p.m. local time (0800 GMT) as workers unloaded chemicals from a truck in Lanshan district in Linyi city in Shandong province. It was not known what chemicals were involved.
 In this Xinhua news agency photo taken on Thursday Sept. 3, 2009 shows the scene of a chemical explosion in Lanshan district of Linyi city, east China's Shandong province. Eighteen people died and 10 others were injured in the chemical explosion happening here about 4 p.m. on Wednesday as workers were unloading a lacquer-curing agent from a truck, according to Xinhua. (AP Photo/Xinhua, Fan Changguo) |
Seven people died immediately at the scene and 11 others succumbed to injuries at a hospital.
A fire ignited by the explosion was extinguished shortly afterward. An investigation into the blast was under way, the report said.
No other details were immediately available.