An explosion at a steel plant in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, has killed nine people with one still missing. The blast on Sunday injured 84 others, prompting emergency rescues and an official investigation. Safety practices at Baotou Steel Group have faced repeated criticism from authorities.
The explosion struck at 3:03 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the rare earth steel plant of Baotou Steel Group in Baotou, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Local authorities confirmed on Tuesday that nine people have died, 84 were injured, and one remains missing, with the blast originating from a 650-cubic-meter saturated water and steam spherical tank at the plate mill.
Rescue operations continue, as a working group led by Vice-Minister Song Yuanming from the Ministry of Emergency Management arrived on Monday to oversee efforts. The Work Safety Committee of the State Council announced direct supervision of the incident, demanding a swift investigation by the Inner Mongolia regional government and public release of findings. Baotou officials noted that Cai Qi, China's fifth-ranking leader and chief of staff to President Xi Jinping, has issued instructions on the matter.
Baotou Steel Group, a major rare earth steel producer, has frequently faced criticism over safety practices from bodies like the State Council's committee and the Ministry of Emergency Management. This tragedy underscores ongoing industrial safety concerns, with authorities vowing strict accountability to prevent recurrences. The exact cause is under verification.
