Factory explosion in China’s Inner Mongolia region kills 2 and hospitalizes 66

A powerful explosion rocked a steel plant in northern China’s Inner Mongolia region Sunday afternoon, killing at least two people and sending dozens more to hospitals as rescue crews searched for missing workers.

The blast occurred around 3 p.m. local time at a facility owned by Baogang United Steel in the industrial city of Baotou, according to China’s official Xinhua news agency. The explosion was powerful enough to cause tremors in surrounding areas and sent thick plumes of dark smoke billowing into the sky.

Emergency responders rushed to the scene as news of the industrial accident spread. Hospital officials confirmed that 66 people required medical treatment following the explosion, with three victims suffering serious injuries. Five workers remained unaccounted for as rescue operations continued into the evening.

“The search for missing personnel is ongoing, and an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the explosion,” a local emergency management official told reporters at the scene.

Baogang United Steel, a subsidiary of state-owned Baogang Group, is one of northern China’s largest steel producers and a significant employer in the region. The company specializes in manufacturing steel products for China’s rapidly growing infrastructure and construction sectors.

Baotou, a city of approximately 2.7 million people located about 650 kilometers west of Beijing, has developed into a major industrial hub in Inner Mongolia. The region is known for its rich mineral resources, particularly rare earth elements, and has attracted substantial industrial investment in recent decades.

Industrial accidents remain a persistent concern in China despite government pledges to improve safety standards. The country’s rapid industrialization has sometimes outpaced the implementation of rigorous safety protocols, experts say.

“Large industrial facilities like steel plants involve numerous hazardous processes including high temperatures, pressurized systems, and combustible materials,” said Zhang Wei, an industrial safety analyst based in Beijing. “When proper safety measures aren’t maintained, the consequences can be devastating.”

In recent years, Chinese authorities have increased pressure on companies to adhere to stricter safety regulations. Following a series of high-profile industrial accidents, including chemical plant explosions and mining disasters, the government has conducted nationwide safety inspections and imposed harsher penalties for safety violations.

The Baotou incident comes as China’s steel industry faces significant challenges. Steel manufacturers are grappling with overcapacity issues, environmental regulations aimed at reducing pollution, and fluctuating demand from the construction and manufacturing sectors.

Local officials have established an emergency response center to coordinate rescue efforts and provide assistance to victims’ families. Medical personnel from surrounding hospitals were called in to help treat the injured, many of whom suffered burns or injuries from the blast’s shock wave.

“We heard a tremendous boom and felt the ground shake beneath our feet,” said Liu Mei, who works at a nearby convenience store. “At first, I thought it was an earthquake, but then we saw the smoke rising from the direction of the steel plant.”

Authorities have cordoned off the area surrounding the plant as firefighters worked to secure the site. Environmental monitoring teams were deployed to assess potential air and water contamination resulting from the explosion.

The investigation is expected to focus on whether proper safety procedures were followed and if maintenance issues may have contributed to the accident. Industry analysts note that aging equipment and cost-cutting measures can sometimes lead to compromised safety standards at industrial facilities.

As night fell in Baotou, rescue teams continued their search for the missing workers, using specialized equipment to navigate the damaged sections of the facility. Officials promised a thorough investigation and appropriate accountability for any safety lapses identified.