Explosion at Pesticide Factory in Henan, Dozens Feared Dead or Injured

On March 20, an explosion occurred at an agricultural factory in Zhoukou, Xiangcheng City, Henan Province, leaving the plant in ruins and shattering windows of nearby villagers’ houses. Reports circulating online claimed that 17 people died and more than 40 were injured.

According to the Emergency Management Bureau of Xiangcheng City, Henan Province, the explosion took place at 11:09 a.m. on March 20 at the Red Flag Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (referred to as Red Flag Pharmaceutical Factory). The incident resulted in 3 missing persons and 4 injured individuals. Rescue efforts are ongoing, and no secondary disasters have been reported. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Official reports stating 3 missing and 4 injured individuals have raised doubts, with numbers circulating online indicating 17 fatalities and 41 injuries, leading local residents to believe that dozens of people may have been killed or injured.

A local villager named Wu Ming (alias) described the explosion as severe, expressing relief that he was outside when it happened, avoiding harm. He mentioned hearing a loud noise, only to return home later to find shattered windows and cracks in the walls. Wu Ming noted that similar damages occurred in other homes in the vicinity. Fortunately, his family was unharmed as they were all at work, narrowly escaping the frightening incident.

After the explosion, police cordoned off the factory area, with around 10 to 20 ambulances arriving on the scene. Wu Ming observed ambulances entering the area until around 5 p.m. He mentioned hearing concerns about the possibility of a second explosion due to another tank on the premises.

He also mentioned a strong, unpleasant odor in the air, indicating a leak of toxic gases, prompting the evacuation of a nearby village due to thick smoke blowing in that direction.

However, Wu Ming noted that the evacuated village lacked a unified government arrangement, with residents finding refuge with relatives or at hotels. He, too, planned to leave his village with his family to stay with relatives for a couple of days.

Another local resident, Wang Kai (alias), described how the factory building was flattened by the explosion, suggesting a significant number of casualties. He recounted ambulances continuously transporting the injured, and considering the hundreds of factory workers in the industrial park, dozens of injuries were to be expected.

Some villagers claimed that over 40 people were injured, but the information was not being disclosed. Online users also questioned and satirized official statements:

“No need to investigate. People in Xiangcheng are indestructible. Out of a factory with 200 workers, only 3 went missing.”

“We have local information – 17 have stopped breathing, 3 are missing. May everyone be safe.”

According to mainland Chinese media, the Red Flag Biotechnology Co., Ltd. was established in 2014 with a registered capital of 100 million yuan. The legal entity and actual controller of the company, Luan Ke, owns 25% of the company’s shares, primarily engaging in the production and sale of pesticides. Business information indicates that the company has been involved in legal disputes related to land use rights and contracts.

In May 2024, Red Flag Biotechnology was administratively penalized for unauthorized wastewater discharge. Additionally, tax system data reveals that the company currently owes 280,000 yuan in taxes.

Wu Ming mentioned that the factory had a fire a few days prior and now, unexpectedly, an explosion occurred. He claimed the factory illegally discharged wastewater every night, despite repeated complaints from villagers that went unaddressed.