Originally published on January 9, 2014

An explosion at a chemical factory in Japan killed at least five people and injured 12 more on Thursday (January 9).

According to AFP, the blast took place at a chemical factory plant run by Mitsubishi Materials in Yokkaichi in central Japan when a group of maintenance crew were working on a heat exchanger used in the production of silicon products.

The explosion is suspected to have been triggered by a chemical reason when the heat exchanger was washed with water and compounds called chlorosilane, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported. Hydrogen gas may have leaked during the demolition of a heat exchanger, according to the Japan Times.

Mitsubishi Materials makes a range of products including auto parts, silicon wafers for memory chips in consumer electronics and cement for road and bridge construction.

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