Investigation reveals negligence in fatal dust explosion in Changzhou

The Changzhou emergency management bureau in Jiangsu province recently released an investigative report on a dust explosion in January, which resulted in the deaths of eight people, with eight others suffering minor injuries.

The investigation concluded that the explosion at a Changzhou Shenrong Metal Technology Company building was a production safety responsibility incident caused by the company's deliberate concealment of production activities to evade supervision.

The company failed to operate in accordance with the design requirements of production equipment, causing the accumulation of a large amount of aluminum alloy dust at the production site.

Improper emergency handling, inadequate local management and industry supervision also led to the accident, the report said.

Seven people involved in the accident have been arrested or obtained a guarantor pending trial.

The explosion occurred at the company's production workshop in Wujin district at 3:38 am on Jan 20.

The direct economic losses exceeded 14.83 million yuan ($2.04 million), the report said.