Blast at Japan chemical plant kills 5, injures 12

Local media members gather at an entrance to Mitsubishi Materials Corp.’s chemical factory following an explosion in Yokkaichi, central Japan, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014. The explosion at the factory on Thursday killed scores of workers and injured many others, authorities said. Investigators suspect chemical reaction involving hydrogen caused the blast at the plant. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT

TOKYO—An explosion at a chemical factory in central Japan on Thursday killed at least five workers and injured 12 others, authorities said.

Investigators suspect chemical reaction involving hydrogen caused the blast at metal and chemical company Mitsubishi Materials Corp.’s Yokkaichi plant, about 350 kilometers (220 miles) west of Tokyo.

The blast appeared to have occurred when plant workers were rinsing heat exchange equipment at the silicone plant during maintenance, according to a Mie prefectural police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to department rules.

Police said five workers died. The dead and injured were all believed to be workers at the factory.