BEIJING: An explosion on Saturday at a biotech factory in northern China has left at least eight people dead, AFP reported, quoting Chinese state media. State news agency Xinhua had previously reported that seven people died and one person was missing after the Saturday morning explosion at the Jiapeng biotech company in Shanxi province, citing local authorities. Later, Xinhua said eight were dead, adding that the firm&#39;s legal representative had been taken into custody. The company is located in Shanyin County, about 400 kilometres west of Beijing. Xinhua said cleanup operations were ongoing, noting that reporters observed dark yellow smoke emanating from the explosion site. Authorities have established a team to investigate the cause of the blast, the report added. Industrial accidents are common in China due to lax safety standards. In late January, an explosion at a steel factory in the neighbouring province of Inner Mongolia left at least nine people dead.

In this file photo, taken on November 21, 2025, the local fire and rescue detachment is working to extinguish the fire in Anyang, Central China's Henan Province. (CCTV News/File)

China

The cause is under investigation, amid ongoing concerns over industrial accidents and safety standards. 

North China factory explosion kills 8: State media

MUNICH: Police closed the Oktoberfest fairgrounds Wednesday morning following a bomb threat from the suspected perpetrator of an explosion in northern Munich, city officials said. At least one person&#39;s death was believed to be connected to the explosion at a residential building early Wednesday, which Munich police said was deliberately set on fire and part of a domestic dispute. It was not immediately clear whether the deceased was the suspected perpetrator or someone else. Another person, who was not considered to be a danger to the public, remained missing. Specialized teams were called to the scene to defuse booby traps in the building, police said. Officials discovered the bomb threat to Oktoberfest in a letter from the alleged perpetrator. Police searched the fairgrounds for other explosive devices and asked workers to leave the area. Authorities said the festival will be closed at least until 5 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) on Wednesday. This year&rsquo;s Oktoberfest began on Sept. 20 and ends Oct. 5. The world&rsquo;s largest beer festival usually attracts up to 6 million visitors.

Europe

Police closed the Oktoberfest fairgrounds Wednesday morning following a bomb threat from the suspected perpetrator of an explosion in northern Munich, city officials said.

Articles tagged with "Explosion"

North China factory explosion kills 8: State media

Munich Oktoberfest fairgrounds closed after bomb threat and deadly explosion