JINAN -- An explosion occurred at the workshop of a chemical company in the city of Gaomi, East China's Shandong province, at noon on Tuesday, with emergency response efforts currently underway, according to the municipal emergency management bureau.

Upon receiving the report of the blast, the Ministry of Emergency Management immediately dispatched a work team and specialized personnel, including firefighters, medical experts and work safety specialists, to aid local rescue efforts.

A total of 232 local firefighters have been sent to the scene.