Tokyo, Dec 24: At least four people have been killed and several others wounded in Japan after an explosion occurred at a chemical plant.
The blast ripped through the plant operated by Morita Chemical Industries Co. in Osaka on Thursday.
One worker was killed at the scene while three others were rushed to a hospital but later confirmed dead.
The workers were conducting maintenance work at a unit which produces fluorine-containing substances, including toxic boron trifluoride.
The plant’s administration said a section of the roof was blown off by the explosion, causing an emission of a small amount of toxic gases into the atmosphere.
Morita Chemical Industries produces and sells hydrofluoric acids, fluorine compounds and various other chemicals as well as pharmaceutical products.
–Agencies