More on Japanese chemical plant explosion

Chemical blast video: Twin explosion hits Japan plant

Two explosions at a chemical plant in western Japan on Sunday killed one worker and injured 22 others, including plant workers and nearby residents.

The blasts occurred at Mitsui Chemicals Iwakuni-Ohtake plant as workers were trying to shut down the factory due to a problem in another section of the plant. Mitsui Chemicals, which is based in Waki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, produces adhesives for wood and rubber tyres.

The first explosion occurred at about 2 a.m. local time, killing a 22-year-old factory employee and injuring 11 employees. At 8 a.m. local time a second explosion was caught on a surveillance camera, but the buildings were evacuated beforehand and no was hurt. More than 430 buildings, including nearby homes, were damaged in the blast.

The fire department and police are investigating what caused the massive explosions. According to the police, there were no dangers of toxic leakage. The flames were brought under control about 15 hours after the second explosion.