AKIPRESS.COM - A chemical plant explosion in east China's Shandong province on Friday morning has caused no casualties, Ecns reported.

Rescuers have cleared the site and ruled out the risks of a new blast at the Shandong Yangmei Hengtong Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd. in Tancheng County.

The explosion happened at around 8.20 am in a workshop. Witnesses said it caused a loud noise and thick black smoke.

Investigation into the cause of the explosion is under way, but rescuers said they have traced the blast to a pipe in the workshop.

After the incident, workers gathered at an entrance to the plant. Some said they were lucky to escape unharmed because the morning shift began at 8.30 am.

With a history of more than 40 years, Hengtong is the largest chemical plant in Tancheng, which is about 320 km southeast of Jinan, the provincial capital.