An oil pipeline explosion near a petrochemicals plant Friday morning left at least 22 people dead in the eastern port city of Qingdao , according to local authorities and the official Xinhua news agency.

Xinhua reported the accident occurred while workers were trying to fix the pipeline, which had begun leaking in the early hours of the morning. Xinhua said the pipeline is owned by Sinopec Group, the country's largest refiner. The company didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Pictures posted to Sina Corp.'s popular Weibo microblogging service appeared to show significant damage, with small stretches of road reduced to rubble and thick columns of black smoke rising in the air. The pictures' authenticity couldn't immediately be verified.

The explosion took place in an industrial zone and appeared to be near a shopping mall as well as the large Lidong petrochemicals facility, which industry websites identified as producing the industrial chemicals paraxylene and benzene. Staff at the facility couldn't immediately be reached.

Xinhua reported the explosion didn't endanger the nearby chemical facility. Local authorities said the fire had been extinguished by Friday afternoon.

The accident could renew fears about public safety risks posed by large industrial complexes being built near major cities. Both Sinopec and China National Petroleum Corp. have previously faced protests and other complaints from residents in several cities about siting major oil refineries and petrochemical plants near densely populated areas.

Local governments across China and the companies have embarked on a campaign over the past few years to turn the tide of public opinion. State media and local officials have countered that such facilities are safe and necessary for economic growth.
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