Dramatic Video Footage Shows How a Worker at Chemical Plant in Eastern China Narrowly Escaped Death as Massive Explosion Kills 5, Injures 19 (video)
- Victor Nwoko
- May 27
- 2 min read

A powerful explosion rocked the Gaomi Youdao Chemical plant in Weifang, Shandong province around midday Tuesday, killing at least five people and injuring 19 others. Six individuals remain missing following the blast, which triggered a massive fire and sent shockwaves felt kilometers away.
Dramatic footage from the scene captured the moment of the eruption. In the video, a worker is seen sprinting along a gangway just as a fireball engulfs the area behind him. He narrowly escapes by reaching a neighboring tank, moments before the walkway is overtaken by flames. Thick black smoke is then seen billowing into the sky, marking the severity of the incident.

Emergency services swiftly mobilized in response, deploying more than 230 firefighters and 55 vehicles to battle the blaze and search for the missing. The chemical plant, which manufactures pesticides and chemicals for medical use, employs over 500 people, according to corporate records.
A local resident living more than seven kilometers (4.3 miles) from the blast site reported that his home shook from the force of the explosion, underscoring the immense power of the blast. Windows at nearby facilities were shattered by the shockwave.

Workplace safety in China has gradually improved in recent years, yet industrial accidents remain a persistent issue. The National Ministry of Emergency Management recorded 21,800 incidents resulting in 19,600 deaths in 2024 alone.
This latest disaster comes amid a string of deadly accidents across China. Last month, a residential building fire in Nanjing claimed at least 15 lives and injured 44. In January, dozens were killed in a store fire in Xinyu, sparked by illegal fire use in a basement. Just days earlier, 13 schoolchildren died in a dormitory blaze in Henan province, reportedly caused by a faulty electric heating device.

In a separate incident last year, a gas leak triggered an explosion at a fried chicken restaurant in northern China, killing two and injuring 26, destroying nearby homes and vehicles.
These repeated tragedies have prompted President Xi Jinping to call for "deep reflection" and intensified efforts to prevent such disasters, particularly in industries handling hazardous materials.

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