Blasts rock Chinese chemical plant

A series of explosions rocked a chemical plant in north-eastern China today.

No deaths were reported, but witnesses said dozens of people were taken to hospital.

The blasts occurred between 2pm and 3pm (6am and 7am Irish time) at the Jilin Petroleum and Chemical Company in the north-eastern province of Jilin, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

The cause was under investigation, said a man who answered the telephone at the local government office in Jilin City, where the explosions occurred.

He said “leaders were directing rescue work at the blast site”.

He said numbers of deaths and injuries were ”unclear.”

The blasts shattered windows of buildings up to 650 feet away.

“More than 10,000 residents have evacuated for fear of further explosions and pollution by chemical matters,” Xinhua said.