Explosion at incineration plant leaves 1 dead, 5 hurt

An explosion killed one person and injured five more Thursday at a garbage incineration plant in Jiading district, local work safety authorities said.

The Shanghai Jiangqiao Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Plant, a 133,000-square-meter complex at 800 Suide Road, suffered a methane explosion around 3 pm, according to local media reports. The explosion brought down a 400-square-meter section of the building.

"I heard the explosion and felt its shock," said a witness surnamed Tu, who works nearby.

Five people were rushed to Putuo District Central Hospital, the Xinmin Evening News reported. Two of the victims were listed in critical condition after suffering head and chest injuries, the report said. The other three were in stable condition. One person was still missing late Thursday.

The plant processes 1,500 tons of garbage a day from Huangpu, Jing'an, Putuo, Zhabei, Changning and Jiading districts, according to a report on people.com.cn.