Barge explosion kills woman, injures 2

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A WOMAN was killed and her husband and son injured when a barge carrying fertilizer exploded yesterday morning in suburban Shanghai, authorities said.

The accident happened about 6am yesterday on Zhangjing Creek in Jinshan District.

An unknown gas triggered the explosion in the cabin when the operator was about to start the barge's engine, according to an initial investigation.

Authorities said no chemical or fuel leak was detected after the explosion, which is still being investigated.

The husband and son were expected to recover, Jinshan District officials said.

The ship, about 470 tons, was registered in neighboring Jiangsu Province, said the district government.

The incident raised public concern as chemical pollutants in a creek affected the water supply to tens of thousands of residents in Jinshan last week.

In response to complaints, the district government said the water supply had resumed last weekend after the foul smell had been removed.

The district water supply utility said households in the district will receive a 50 percent discount on their water bills this month due to the incident.

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