Water, power supply restored after blast

QINGDAO -- Water and power supply have been restored in the east China city of Qingdao, the site of an oil pipeline blast on Friday, local authorities said on Monday.

Crude oil began leaking from the pipeline at 3:00 am Friday in Qingdao city in Shandong province. The valves of the Huangdao oil warehouse were shut about 15 minutes later.

The oil spill then flowed into the city's rainwater pipe network, which empties into Jiaozhou Bay. Explosions occurred at two locations around 10:30 a.m. Friday when workers were clearing the spill.

According to the local government, about 85 percent of public heating and 90 percent of the gas supply were also restored as of Monday.

Residents who have been relocated to temporary settlements are receiving bottled water and bread.

Most schools and kindergartens resumed classes on Monday, according to the district's education bureau.

As of Monday noon, the death toll from the blast had risen to 55, with nine people still missing and 136 hospitalized.

According to local police, 49 bodies have been identified so far, and 42 of them were male victims.

As of Monday morning, the blood supply in Qingdao was sufficient for clinical demand after more than 950 people in the city donated more than 340,000 ml of blood in the wake of the incident.