An explosion Sunday morning at Dengta Jinhang Petrochemical Co. Ltd. in Liaoning Province, northeast China, killed two workers and injured others, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. The facility in Jianshanzi Village produces lubricant additives.
The explosion at 5:46 a.m. toppled a workshop and shattered windows in nearby buildings, injuring many local residents and leaving a three-meter-deep hole in the northeast corner of the plant, Xinhua stated. Firefighters brought the fire under control by 7:30 a.m. Rescuers were still searching for a missing worker Monday.
An initial investigation indicated human error led to overheating and excessive pressure in a set of barrel-like production facilities, according to the investigation panel, which comprised government officials and experts, the news agency reported.
According to its Web site, Dengta Jinhang Petrochemical is a research-based private enterprise that develops, manufactures and sells lubricant additives. Its plant covers a total area of about 60,000 square meters and has more than 80 employees.
Dengta Jinhang Petrochemicals products include three types of lubricant antioxidants and two types of calcium sulfonate, which are typically used as detergents and rust inhibitors in crankcase lubricants. It also makes a gasoline explosive resistant agent and industrial sulfur.
The company said it has business relations with local large petrochemical enterprises in the province, including Liaoyang Chemical Group, Liaohe Oilfield, Jinzhou Petrochemical and Fushun Petrochemical.