A powerful explosion ripped through a chemical plant in eastern China Thursday, killing at least 47 people and severely injuring 90 others.
Firefighters were still battling small fires Friday, after working through the night to put out the main blaze, state media reported.
State media reported the chemical that caused the explosion was benzene, a highly flammable and toxic compound classified as a carcinogen, adding that the pesticide factory failed a government safety inspection last year.
Local environmental officials, who set up monitoring devices throughout the industrial park and nearby areas after the blast, said Thursday that heavy wind had created favorable condition for toxic air to dissipate.
The authorities have detained “relevant personnel connected to the accident,” according to state media.