A fatal accident occurred not far from the city of Wenling, in Zhejiang province, in eastern China, Saturday, June 13. A tanker truck exploded on a highway and caused the collapse of buildings and factories located in the surrounding area, reported the chinese media. According to State television CCTV, a first assessment was on Saturday night for 10 people dead and 117 injured. A balance sheet have to be revised upwards later in the day by the official news agency New China. It spoke Saturday, in the late evening, at least 14 people dead and 168 injured.

The power of the explosion caused the collapse of homes and factories situated near the site of the disaster, which occurred near the town of Wenling, the government said on the social networks. A huge cloud of black smoke is formed above the place of the accident, while several cars have been burned by the flames. The relief were bent always on Saturday evening in an attempt to reach victims trapped under the rubble, according to CCTV.

road closures

videos published by the media officials showed a huge ball of fire and people screaming. On one of the videos, we see large debris flying in the air before reaching the buildings nearby. Another shows the remains of the tanker truck, and several heavy-duty recessed in a building reduces it to ruins. Many roads have been closed, according to police.

road accidents are common in China. According to the latest available figures provided by the authorities, 58,000 people have lost their lives in traffic accidents by 2015. Violations of the code of the road are responsible for nearly 90 % of fatal accidents or have been injured. In 2019, at least 36 people were killed and 36 injured in China when a bus crowded with a flat tire is involved in a collision with a truck.