A large explosion took place at a chemical plant in China's eastern province of Shandong on Tuesday, state media said, but gave no immediate details of casualties, while unverified social media images showed smoke billowing high over the plant.
Emergency services swung in to begin rescue and treatment efforts after the blast, just before noon in the workshop of Shandong Youdao Chemical, broadcaster CCTV said, but gave no further details.
Posts on Chinese social media platform Weibo after the explosion showed shattered glass in nearby villages, with residents saying they had felt its vibrations.