Thermal factory explosion kills five in East China

JINAN -- An explosion caused by liquefied ammonia stored in a thermal power plant in East China killed five people and injured six others, local authorities reported Tuesday.

The accident occurred at Jiazhou Thermal Co. Ltd. in Zibo city, Shandong province, at 9:43 am Tuesday. Two were killed on the spot while three others died after being admitted to hospital.

The six others in the hospital do not face life-threatening injuries, a spokesman for the city government said.

The accident also caused leakage of around 55 tonnes of liquefied ammonia. The government said firefighters have managed to control the environmental hazards. No severe effects on local residents have been reported.