State news agency reports chemical explosion in east China kills 18 people, injures 10 others

Report: Chemical explosion kills 18 in China

BEIJING — A chemical explosion in eastern China killed 18 people and injured 10 others on Wednesday, state media reported.

The blast occurred about 4 p.m. local time (0800 GMT) as workers unloaded chemicals from a truck in Lanshan district in Linyi city in Shandong province. It was not known what chemicals were involved.

Seven people died immediately at the scene and 11 others succumbed to injuries at a hospital.

A fire ignited by the explosion was extinguished shortly afterward. An investigation into the blast was under way, the report said.

No other details were immediately available.