Human factors ruled out in deadly explosion

Police have ruled out human factors in a deadly explosion in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, on Sunday that killed two people.

The city government called for a citywide campaign to eliminate safety hazards.

Technicians from the local public security department said on Monday that human factors had been ruled out as a cause, but further investigation is still underway to find out what caused the explosion.

The explosion occurred at the site of a demolished factory around 8:55 am in Jiangbei district. An earlier investigation found a septic tank at the center of the explosion and excluded the possibility of a piped-gas ignition.

Nineteen people were injured, including four who are in serious condition. Two people remain missing.

After four rounds of search and rescue, firefighters have yet to find anyone trapped in the debris.

Neighbors affected by the disaster have been relocated.

Maintenance workers began to inspect all buildings in the surrounding communities, evaluating damage, repairing broken windows and ensuring that it’s safe for people to return to their homes. Those affected are expected to receive subsidies.

The city government’s campaign to eliminate safety hazards will focus on fire control facilities and safety hazards in crowded apartments, warehouses that store hazardous chemicals, demolition areas, and oil and gas pipelines.

“Safety is the baseline for the city’s development and reform,” said Ningbo Mayor Qiu Dongyao. Xinhua contributed to this story.