[Caution: this post contains content that may be upsetting to some readers]:
A explosion at a factory in Jiangsu has killed at least 75 workers and injured another 185, reports People’s Daily.
The explosion took place this morning at 7:37 in the developmental zone of Kunshan, Jiangsu Province at the Kunshan Zhongrong Metal Production Company.
At the time of the explosion, there were over 200 people reportedly working at the factory.
The explosion occurred in the polishing area of the workshop where preliminary findings suspect that dust is the cause of the explosion.
According to the official website of the Kunshan Zhongrong Metal Production Company, the company has a total of 450 workers who are tasked with electroplating alloy wheel hubs.
The company is said to be a supplier for US auto manufacturer General Motors. Its location consists of 50,000 square meters of factory space, and was established in 1998.
The force of the explosion was powerful enough to cause serious damage to the factory. With one exterior wall collapsed, the blast has punctured two holes through the middle of the workshop wall while other areas are so severely damaged that only steel reinforcement bars remain. In a 50 meter diameter of the blast, shattered glass can be seen everywhere.
Xinhua reports that Kunshan government representatives have stated two company personnel have been detained due to the explosion.
The cause of the explosion still under investigation.
Five burn experts from Shanghai Ruijin Hospital have gone to Kunshan to lend support and expertise.
More pictures from the explosion are shown below:
UPDATE 1, 9pm August 2: This report has been updated with a new death toll and number of injured.
UPDATE 2, 10:30 am August 4: This report has been updated with a new death toll.
UPDATE 3, 12:11 pm August 4: This report has been updated with a new death toll and number of injured.
Photos: People’s Daily (2), Xinhua Net (2), Caijing, Sina (2), CCTV News