Gas tank explosion at Dung Quat shipyard injures nine

A representative of Dung Quat Economic Zone in Quang Ngai Province said the explosion occurred around 2 p.m. while a group of Dung Quat Shipbuilding Industry Company workers were working in the company’s cargo hold area.

Nine burned workers were transferred to Quang Nam Central General Hospital in Nui Thanh District, 40 km from where the incident occurred.

The hospital said that four suffered severe burns while five others were injured by lighter burns.

Seven victims have since been transferred to a hospital in Da Nang.

The Dung Quat Economic Zone management board has required the company to submit a report about the incident and set up an inspection team at construction sites and factories in the economic zone.

Dung Quat Shipbuilding Industry Company was established in 2006. The firm formerly belonged to Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Group, which specializes in building and repairing ships.

In 2010, the company was transferred to state-owned oil and gas group Petrovietnam.