Human error blamed for Qingdao oil pipeline explosion
Poor planning of oil and sewer pipes, and negligence after leak was discovered, led to explosion, work safety investigators say
Investigators have blamed human error for the oil pipeline explosion that killed at least 55 people in Qingdao.
Yang Dongliang, director of the State Administration of Work Safety, said poor planning and maintenance of the pipeline, plus negligence after it was found to be leaking oil, led to the blast on Friday in the eastern port city.
About 136 people were injured in the explosion in the residential area of the city. Nine are still missing.
"The serious damage in this incident has highlighted major problems, including the location of the pipelines and the sewerage grid and the negligent maintenance of the oil pipeline that caused the oil leak,'' Yang said.
"There was an inadequate response after the leak was found. They did not seal off the area and evacuate people. This is a serious lapse of responsibility,'' Yang told a meeting after a preliminary investigation by the state council in Qingdao.
Yang ordered safety checks on oil and gas pipelines across the nation.
The Qingdao provincial government has posted a report from state television on its official microblog saying investigators were aware of the delay of several hours in evacuating residents from the area after oil was found to be leaking from the pipeline and their findings will be announced later.