Three workers killed in oil-tank blast

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-6-26  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

AN oil tank blew up yesterday afternoon in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, leaving at least three workers dead, one injured and four missing, authorities said last night.

The explosion happened about 4pm at the Fukang Iron Coke Co Ltd in Fukang City, in the Hui Autonomous Prefecture of Changji.

Fifty-six fire-fighters and seven fire engines fought the resulting fire.

The oil tank contained 2,000 cubic meters of coal tar, a viscous black liquid containing numerous organic compounds used as a roofing, waterproofing and insulating compound and as a raw material for many dyes, drugs and paints.

Coal tar leaking from the shattered tank had been diverted to safe areas, a company spokesman said. The tank had also been sealed with foam material.

Eight other oil tanks nearby were not affected and had been cooled down, he said.

Local environmental authorities said they had not detected pollution in the underground water and nearby rivers, but some chemical elements in the air, such as benzene, toluene and dimethylbenzene, had exceeded standards.

They would continue to monitor the air quality while a work-safety investigation team tried to determine the cause of the explosion.