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| Photo taken with a mobile phone shows the site of a pipeline explosion in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 22, 2013. A fire broke out and the blast occurred around 10 a.m. in the Huangdao District when workers were repairing a petroleum pipeline which broke and resulted in an oil leakage around 3 a.m. Casualties remained unknown. (Xinhua) |
In pictures:Oil spill cleanup underway after pipeline blast in E China
In pictures: Pipeline blast in E China, maintenance underway
In pictures: Pipeline blast in E China
In pictures: site of pipeline blast in Qingdao
QINGDAO, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- The death toll rose to 48 on Saturday after a crude oil leak from an old pipeline triggered two blasts in the east China port city of Qingdao on Friday.
Crude oil began leaking from an underground pipeline operated by Sinopec, China's largest oil refiner, at 3:00 a.m. on Friday in Huangdao District of Qingdao, according to the municipal government.
The leaked oil then flowed into the city's rainwater pipe system, which empties into Jiaozhou Bay. Two blasts occurred at around 10:30 a.m. when workers were repairing the ruptured pipeline.
One of the blasts occurred near the leaking pipeline, while the other happened close to the site where the rainwater pipe empties into the sea.
The explosions ripped through roads in the district, leaving deep cracks on road surfaces, overturning vehicles parked on the roadside and shattering glass and bricks of nearby buildings.
The local government has ruled out a terror attack as the cause, and the State Administration of Work Safety has sent a work team to the scene to guide the rescue efforts.
A total of 18,000 people have been evacuated from the district and local authorities are doling out food and water for residents affected by the blasts. Electricity has been restored in all but two communities in the district.
"We can't live here any more, we must move as soon as possible," said a woman surnamed Xing, whose 87-year-old mother sustained minor injuries in the blast.
Xing said she was injured slightly in a similar accident that occurred in the district in 1989, when an oil depot explosion blew her away.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday asked for maximum efforts in the search for survivors of the blast. He also asked local authorities to spare no effort to rescue the injured, find the cause of the accident and strengthen safety.
Premier Li Keqiang also urged local authorities to improve inspection and supervision and make sure safety procedures are followed.
The Qingdao municipal government has ordered scrutiny of the safety of its pipeline network following the accident.
The State Council, China's cabinet, has decided to establish an investigation team to find the cause of the accident and hold relevant parties accountable.
RESCUE EFFORTS
China will mobilize the best doctors and medical resources to treat the injured and reduce disability and death, said State Councilor Wang Yong, who was entrusted by President Xi and Premier Li to lead a team to direct rescue work on the ground.
A compensation package for victims should be offered as soon as possible, he said.
At least 10 of the 136 hospitalized are still in critical condition, according to provincial health authorities.
Authorities have put together expert panels to monitor the medical conditions of the ten critically injured. Experts include provincial specialists and those dispatched by the National Health and Family Planning Commission from Beijing.
Liang Jun, vice dean of the Huangdao division of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, one of three hospitals treating the injured, said the hospital has received 102 people injured in Friday's blast, and none has died.
The injured, ranging in age from 20 to 87, mostly sustained trauma after being hit by slabs and stones in the blasts, Liang said, adding that all the medical expenses will be covered by the hospitals
Residents in Qingdao donated blood on Saturday, boosting blood stockpiles in the city's blood bank, which the bank said is enough to meet clinical needs.
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