Explosion and fire at Chinese chemical plant kills five

Five people have died and six others are missing after an explosion and fire at a chemical plant in Gaomi, China on 27 May. The incident at Shandong Youdao Chemical injured 19 other people, according to reports in the South China Morning Post.

The cause of the incident is yet to be determined. Emergency services personnel are continuing to search for the missing people and clean up the site.

Shandong Youdao employs over 300 people, producing pharmaceuticals, pesticides (local reports say it is the world’s largest producer of chlorpyrifos) and other related chemical products.