Beijing: An explosion ripped through a chemical plant in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region today but there is no word about any casualty.
Rescuers said several blasts were heard and thick smoke enveloped the plant, officials said.
There was no immediate word on casualties and residents living within 3 km were being evacuated for fear of further blasts and possible chemical leaks, Xinhua news agency reported.
The plant mainly produces polyvinyl acetate (PVA, used in adhesives) calcium carbide, and vinyl acetate monomer (VAM, used in paints, adhesives and coatings).
The plant, owned by Guangxi Guangwei Chemical Co., is in a development zone of Yizhou City, which is a four-hour ride from the regional capital of Nanning.
