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Death toll in Qingdao rises to 52

Xinhua, November 24, 2013

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  The death toll in explosions from a ruptured oil pipeline in the east China port city of Qingdao rose to 49 on Sunday as oil spill cleanup work is underway. [Photo / China.org.cn]

  The death toll in explosions from a ruptured oil pipeline in the east China port city of Qingdao rose to 52 on Sunday.

   Fu Chengyu, chairman of China's largest oil refiner Sinopec, issued a public apology yesterday for the accident that also left dozens injured and sent 18,000 residents fleeing from their homes, saying the company would collaborate with a State Council investigation group.

  Crude oil began leaking from an underground pipeline operated by Sinopec at 3am on Friday in the city’s Huangdao District, according to the city government.

  The leaked oil then flowed into the city’s rainwater pipe system, which empties into Jiaozhou Bay. Two blasts occurred around 10:30am when workers were repairing the ruptured pipeline.

  One of the blasts occurred near the leaking pipeline, while the other happened close to the site where the rainwater pipe empties into the sea.

  The explosions ripped through roads in the district, leaving deep cracks on road surfaces, overturning vehicles parked at the roadside and shattering glass and bricks of nearby buildings.

  The local government ruled out a terror attack as the cause, and the State Administration of Work Safety has sent a team to the scene to guide rescue efforts.

  A total of 18,000 people have been evacuated from the district and local authorities are distributing food and water to residents affected by the blasts.

  Electricity has been restored in all but two communities in the district.

  “We can’t live here any more, we must move as soon as possible,” said a woman surnamed Xing, whose 87-year-old mother sustained minor injuries in the blast.

  The State Council said it was to establish an investigation team to determine the cause of the accident and hold relevant parties accountable.

  China will mobilize the best doctors and medical resources to treat the injured and reduce disability and death, said State Councilor Wang Yong, who is leading a team directing rescue work.

  A compensation package for victims should be offered as soon as possible, he said.

  At least 10 of the injured in hospital are still in critical condition, according to health authorities.

  Residents in Qingdao donated blood yesterday, boosting blood stockpiles in the city’s blood bank, which the bank said is enough to meet clinical needs.

  The Qingdao Environmental Protection Bureau, the city’s environmental watchdog, said it is overseeing clean-up efforts.

  The Qingdao Maritime Safety Administration said it is using barricades extending 3,000 meters long and 10 tons of dispersant to clean up spills that have contaminated 3,000 square meters of sea water.

  The administration has also dispatched 22 oil-clearing vessels, 10 fishing boats and six patrol vessels to help clean up crude oil that spilled into the sea.

  Earlier media reports linked the explosion to an oil pipeline that Sinopec put into operation in August.

  However, the company said yesterday that the ruptured pipeline has been in use since July 1986.

  It is not known how the incident will affect Sinopec’s two oil refineries in east China’s Shandong Province, one of which is in Qingdao.

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