18,000 evacuated after pipeline explosion in China kills 48

He said Sinopec will conduct rescue work at all costs and cooperate with the investigation team dispatched by the central government, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.  

Barricades running 3,000 metres long and 10 tons of dispersant are being used to clean up spills in the sea. 22 oil-clearing vessels, 10 fishing boats and six patrolling vessels have been dispatched, Xinhua reported, quoting local officials.

Water, gas and electricity were cut off in parts of the district after the blast. 40,000 servings of free food were distributed for breakfast and lunch for those affected.  The local government distributed 2,000 candles to residents in Huangdao after the explosion and has provided water for local residents since last night.  

So far, electricity has been restored in all but two communities in the district, the local government said.  The series of explosions left cracks in the streets, the longest of which was about 1.5 km. Fires and explosions also occurred on the polluted sea waters at the entrance to the bay.