Jiangsu province [China]: An explosion took place at Chenjiagang Tianjiayi chemical plant here on Thursday afternoon.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), several people have been reported injured and residential building, schools and vehicles in the vicinity of the plant were damaged. An earthquake of magnitude 3.0 on the Richter scale was also reported and it is speculated that it occurred from the impact of the blast.
Firefighters and rescue personnel are on the site, said the local authorities. SCMP quoted a report by Yangtse Evening Post, stating that the explosion took place at the Chenjiagang Tianjiayi chemical plant, which produces pesticides. The pesticide plant has received six administrative punishments for failures regarding solid waste management, environmental impact assessment and air pollution.