JINAN, March 27 (Xinhua) -- An investigation report into a fatal explosion at a chemical plant in the city of Gaomi, east China's Shandong Province, has been released, identifying the incident as "a major workplace safety liability accident," local authorities said on Friday.
The blast at Shandong Youdao Chemical Co., Ltd. on May 27, 2025 left 12 people dead and 19 others injured, with direct economic losses totaling 58.6 million yuan (about 8.48 million U.S. dollars).
According to the report, the explosion was caused by technical flaws, the unauthorized use of substandard raw materials, and the improper selection of material transport equipment.
The investigation also showed that a lack of risk control measures, perfunctory hazard inspections, and illegal project construction and production are partly to be blamed for the blast. The report further noted that local government departments and Party committee had failed to fulfill their regulatory and oversight duties.
The report suggested that 10 individuals be investigated for criminal responsibility, including the general manager of the chemical plant, and that 49 others, including officials of the city's chemical industry development service center, be given Party and administrative disciplinary penalties and organizational punishment. ■
