Explosion at east China plastics factory kills at least 12

At least 12 people are reported dead and dozens injured in an explosion at an abandoned plastics factory in eastern China’s Nanjing City.

The blast on July 28 was apparently caused by a gas leak after a propylene pipeline was damaged as workers dismantled factory buildings of the Nanjing No. 4 Plastics Factory, Chinese media reports said. The leaked gas was then ignited when a car engine was started at the scene.

Reports also said that more than 120 people have been hospitalized.

The death toll, which is based on the number of bodies so far recovered, could climb as rescuers are still clearing the explosion site and some injured people are reported to be in very critical condition.