Chinese steel factory officials detained after explosion that leaves 2 dead, 8 missing

News > Top Stories

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, damaged buildings are seen following an explosion at a factory in Baotou, in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Xinhua via AP)

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, smoke rises from the site of explosions from a factory in Baotou, in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Xinhua via AP) — In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, damaged buildings are seen following an explosion at a factory in Baotou, in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Xinhua via AP)

Audio By Carbonatix

9:38 PM on Sunday, January 18

The Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese police have detained those in charge of a steel factory in the Inner Mongolia region after an explosion killed two people and left 84 others hospitalized.

A rescue team was searching for eight people who remain unaccounted for, a representative of the Baotou city Information Office said at a news conference Monday.

The blast around 3 p.m. Sunday at a Baogang United Steel plant in Baotou caused tremors in the surrounding area and sent a massive cloud of white smoke skyward.

A pressurized storage tank designed to hold steam and high-temperature water exploded in the factory, city officials.

Baogang United Steel is a major state-owned company.