One dead, two missing in Linyi blast

One person was killed and two others remain missing after an explosion occurred at a single-story courtyard in Linyi, Shandong province, on Friday afternoon.

The explosion took place at 3:38 pm in Wangqiao community, Yihe New Area, according to a statement from local authorities. A joint task force comprising public security, fire, emergency response, housing and urban-rural development departments was immediately established and dispatched to the scene for emergency rescue operations.

As of now, one person has been confirmed dead, two are missing, and the other injured individuals have been sent to hospitals for treatment and are in non-life-threatening conditions. Search and rescue operations at the site are still ongoing.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the explosion was caused by the illegal storage of explosive materials used for fishing by a tenant of the courtyard whose surname is Wang.

Residents of nearby buildings have been properly accommodated and provided with necessary assistance. Investigations into the cause of the accident and follow-up arrangements are being carried out in an orderly manner.