At Least 3 Dead, 48 Injured In Massive Explosion Near Chinese Chemical Plant

At least three people are dead and another 48 are injured after a massive explosion ripped through an industrial area in Quingdao, China, South China Morning Post is reporting.

The explosion happened near the Lidong Chemical Plant early Friday local time, according to SCMP.

Weibosphere, a website highlighting Chinese social media trends, reported social media users posting photos of bodies strewn in the streets, and extensive damage to cars and a ruptured city street.

SCMP reported the Quingdao government as saying an oil pipeline ruptured and caused an oil spill.

Quingdao, a major city in eastern China, has a population of nearly 8 million people.

This story is developing, and will be updated as we learn more.