On May 27, 2025, a powerful explosion occurred at the Shandong Youdao Chemical Co. plant in Gaomi city, located in China’s eastern Shandong province.
The blast produced thick plumes of smoke visible from miles away and caused damage to buildings up to three kilometers from the site. Residents reported feeling tremors and hearing a loud bang just before noon local time.
The chemical plant, situated within the Gaomi Renhe chemical park, specializes in the production of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and fine chemical intermediates. Established in 2019, the facility employs over 300 workers and spans more than 47 hectares.
Emergency response teams were swiftly deployed to the scene. Local authorities dispatched over 230 firefighters and 55 fire engines to manage the situation. The Ministry of Emergency Management also sent specialized teams, including medical experts and safety specialists, to assist in rescue operations.
As of now, officials have not released information regarding casualties or the cause of the explosion. Environmental monitoring teams have been deployed to assess air quality in the vicinity, and residents have been advised to wear masks if they detect unusual odors.
The incident has had economic repercussions as well. Shares of Himile Mechanical, a publicly traded affiliate of Himile Group—which owns Shandong Youdao Chemical—fell nearly 4% following news of the blast.
This explosion adds to a series of industrial accidents in China in recent years, highlighting ongoing concerns about chemical plant safety and regulatory oversight. Investigations into the cause of the explosion are currently underway.
