Search and rescue efforts continued Wednesday after a powerful explosion at a chemical plant in eastern China left six people missing, killed at least five, and injured 19.

The blast, which occurred in an industrial park on Tuesday, sent shockwaves through nearby businesses and residences, shattering windows and spewing thick white smoke, according to social media footage.

Gaomi Youdao, a pesticide and medical chemical manufacturer employing over 500 workers, has not disclosed the cause of the explosion.

Local fire officials deployed over 230 personnel to the site, state broadcaster CCTV reported. The incident disrupted local businesses, with Zhang Liyou, a restaurant owner 1 kilometer from the site, reporting shattered windows and collapsed ceiling panels, though no injuries occurred at his establishment.

Another restaurant, over 3 kilometers away, experienced tremors likened to a small earthquake, with minor cracks in its windows.

Environmental concerns emerged as a nearby school reported a “funny smell” and distributed masks to students.

The local environment bureau dispatched a team to monitor potential pollution, but no findings have been released.

The explosion follows recent scrutiny of Gaomi Youdao, which faced citations for safety risks twice last year.

However, the Weifang Emergency Management Bureau praised the company in September for addressing over 800 safety hazards in 2024.

This incident underscores ongoing workplace safety challenges in China’s chemical sector, despite recent government efforts to bolster risk management.

The National Ministry of Emergency Management, which held a safety workshop two weeks prior, reported 21,800 incidents and 19,600 deaths nationwide in 2024