Authorities of the Dalian city, located to the east of China, will take a final decision on shifting of the Fujia petrochemical plant, following fears of toxic leakage after the breach of an embankment a few days back.Authorities of the Dalian city, located to the east of China, will take a final decision on shifting of the Fujia petrochemical plant, following fears of toxic leakage after the breach of an embankment a few days back.

The Fujia plant is engaged in the production of paraxylene (PX), which is used in preparation of raw materials for the production of fabrics and polyester film.

A tropical storm Muifa gave rise to huge sea waves that hit the coast of Liaoning province in north-eastern China. An embankment in the Jinshan Industrial Zone in Dalian was broken, raising fears of sea waves striking the Fujia plant situated just 50 meters behind the embankment.

The two ruptures, each of which was at least 20-30 metres in length, have been temporarily blocked, but still it is being feared that heavy tides may sweep away the slackly piled stones and once again break the embankment.

Sensing the danger, people residing in surrounding areas have been evacuated, and the toxic chemicals lying in the tanks close to the dike have also been shifted by plant employees.

Li Wancai, Dalian Mayor said that the government would constitute a team to probe into the incident and held those found responsible for it.

In the interim, the plant officials would also re-evaluate the safety situation for PX production at the plant, as a part of government’s drive to free the city of all the environmental risks and to form a basis for discussion on plant’s probable relocation.
POST: 2024-04-28