Oil pipeline leaks lead to explosion in Qingdao

Seven China Petroleum & Chemical workers have been arrested by Chinese police following a crude oil pipeline blast that killed at least 55 people in the eastern city of Qingdao last week.

A gaping crater was left in a major street after crude oil leaking from the pipeline ignited in storm drains. Residents were not warned of the danger despite discovery of the leak almost eight hours prior to the blast.

Two others from an economic and technological development zone of Qingdao were also arrested.

An investigation has been launched into safety at oil and gas pipelines following the incident.

The refining and petrochemical site produces more than seven million tonnes of gasoline, kerosene and diesel annually.

The crude oil import terminal at Qingdao supplies at least two Sinopec refineries, the Qingdao plant and Sinopec Qilu Petrochemical, as well as other independent refineries. Sinopec is cooperating with the investigation into the accident, and operations are said to be normal with a stable oil supply.

As the blast involved a major pipeline supplying several refineries, the explosion is expected to interrupt flow of crude into the country. The oil spill has spread across 3,000m² of sea water and spilled into the port, which also caught fire.