Guangxi vessel explosion kills 1, leaves 2 missing and 2 injured

A flash explosion on an engineering vessel docked along the Yujiang River killed one worker and left two missing, while two others were injured, during painting operations in Guigang city, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the local emergency management bureau said on Wednesday.

The blast occurred at about 5:15 pm on Tuesday at the riverbank in Hubiao village. The accident was caused by improper operation by construction workers spraying the moored ship, according to a notice released by the bureau.

One victim died despite emergency treatment, two remain unaccounted for and two others sustained minor injuries.

After receiving the report, local authorities dispatched emergency management, public security, maritime, fire, health and township officials to the site for search and rescue operations, medical treatment and aftermath arrangements. Rescuers are continuing an intensive search for the two missing people.