Steel factory blast in inner Mongolia kills nine, dozens Injured

The death toll from an explosion at a steel manufacturing facility in northern China has risen to nine, with one person still missing, according to state media reports on 20 January 2026. The blast occurred on 18 January at a plate production plant operated by Inner Mongolia Baotou Steel Union, commonly known as Baogang. A total of 84 people were hospitalised following the incident, many with blast-related injuries.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the explosion originated from a 650 cubic metre water and steam tank within the facility. The force of the blast caused significant structural damage, including collapsed ceilings and widespread debris, with residents several kilometres away reporting shaking and shattered windows.

Emergency services were deployed immediately, with fire crews securing the site and conducting search and rescue operations. Video footage circulated on social media showed heavy smoke, damaged industrial structures, and large metal components ejected from the plant. Railway operations in the vicinity were temporarily disrupted after debris landed on nearby tracks.

The incident is under investigation by local and national authorities, with oversight from China’s emergency management agencies. Rescue operations and site safety assessments remain ongoing.

The affected facility produces specialised steel products, including rare earth steel used in infrastructure and engineering applications. Civil works and production at impacted units have been suspended pending safety inspections and determination of the explosion’s root cause.