Chinese steel factory officials detained after explosion that leaves 2 dead, 8 missing

Chinese authorities have detained several executives of a major state-owned steel plant following a deadly explosion that killed two people and hospitalized 84 others in the northern region of Inner Mongolia, officials announced Monday.

The incident occurred Sunday afternoon at a Baogang United Steel facility in Baotou city when a pressurized storage tank containing steam and high-temperature water exploded. The blast, which happened around 3 p.m. local time, generated tremors that were felt throughout the surrounding area and produced a massive plume of white smoke visible from miles away.

At a press conference on Monday, a representative from the Baotou City Information Office confirmed that those in charge of the facility had been taken into police custody as investigations continue. The official did not specify how many individuals were detained or their specific roles within the company.

Rescue operations remain underway as emergency teams search for eight people still unaccounted for following the explosion. The extensive search effort involves specialized teams working through damaged sections of the industrial complex.

Baogang United Steel, a cornerstone of China’s state-owned industrial sector, is one of the country’s largest steel producers and a significant employer in the resource-rich Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The company specializes in various steel products essential to China’s manufacturing and construction industries.

The incident comes amid increased scrutiny of industrial safety standards in China’s manufacturing sector. In recent years, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s administration has pledged to strengthen workplace safety regulations following a series of high-profile industrial accidents that have raised concerns about enforcement of safety protocols at major facilities.

Inner Mongolia, which borders Mongolia to the north, has developed into a crucial industrial hub for China’s steel, coal, and rare earth mineral production. The region’s abundant natural resources have made it strategically important to China’s industrial development, though rapid industrialization has sometimes outpaced safety infrastructure.

Industrial accidents remain a persistent problem in China despite government campaigns to improve safety standards. The steel industry, with its high-temperature processes and pressurized systems, presents particular risks when safety measures fail or equipment maintenance is inadequate.

Local residents reported feeling the impact of Sunday’s explosion across Baotou, a city of approximately 2.7 million people that serves as one of Inner Mongolia’s major industrial centers. Social media videos showed the enormous cloud of smoke rising from the facility, though many posts were subsequently removed from Chinese platforms as authorities typically restrict information about major accidents.

The economic impact of the explosion remains unclear, though production disruptions at a facility of this scale could temporarily affect regional steel output. China produces roughly half of the world’s steel, making any significant disruption potentially relevant to global markets.

Chinese industrial safety experts have noted that pressurized vessels like the one involved in this incident require regular maintenance and inspection to prevent catastrophic failures. When such tanks rupture, they can create explosion forces comparable to detonating explosives due to the rapid expansion of superheated steam.

Authorities have not yet released information about the cause of the explosion, though comprehensive investigations typically follow industrial accidents of this magnitude in China. The detentions suggest officials are focusing on potential management negligence or safety violations as contributing factors.

Emergency response teams, including medical personnel, firefighters, and specialized rescue units, were deployed immediately following the explosion to treat the injured and secure the site.