Gas explosion in Weifang: at least five deaths and many injuries!

Gas explosion in Weifang: at least five deaths and many injuries!

On May 28, 2025, there was a devastating gas explosion in the Gaomi Youdao Chemical-Werk in Weifang, China, which took place around noon. A video recorded by eyewitnesses shows how an employee runs over a gangway, followed by an enormous fireball that devastates the system. At the time of the explosion, more than 500 employees were employed in the chemical complex, which produces products for medical industry and pesticides, among other things.

The explosion was so huge that it let black smoke rise above the work. The reaction of the emergency services was prompt; More than 230 firefighters and 55 emergency vehicles were mobilized to control the Situation. The authorities reported at least five fatalities and at least 19 injuries, some of them seriously. In addition, six people are currently reported as missing. A resident who lives about seven kilometers away reported that his house was affected by the vibrations of the explosion.

further explosion in the restaurant

These recent incidents are part of a major problem in China, where industrial accidents often occur. After a fatal explosion in a barbecue restaurant in Yinchuan, in which 31 people died, President Xi Jinping ordered a nationwide security check. The causes of these accidents often include poor state supervision, cost reductions on the part of employers, corruption and insufficient security training.

context of the security situation

The security situation in industry is increasingly being considered critically. According to a report by BASF, only 0.02 serious injuries for 200,000 work were recorded worldwide in 2023. However, there have also been fatal work accidents in recent times, including two incidents that took place in 2024: a construction worker died on a construction site in Zhanjiang and an contractor was involved in a fatal traffic accident in Vietnam. These statistics underline the need for stricter security precautions and training to minimize the risk of such incidents.

The events in Gaomi are another shocking proof of the challenges that China is faced with in terms of industrial security. While emergency services and authorities are trying to clarify, the question arises as to what is being done to ensure the safety of employees in the future.